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He leaped into the air in one tremendous spring that carried him 

CLEAR across TO THE OTHER SIDE 



Twilight 'iAnimal Series 


BUMPER 

THE WHITE RABBIT 
IN THE WOODS 


By 

GEORGE ETHELBERT WALSH 

Author of '^Bumper the White Rabbit^* '^Bumper the White Rabbit in the 
Woods Bumper the White Rabbit and His FoeSj' ** Bumper the 
White Rabbit and His Friends” ^^Bobby Gray Squirrel” 

** Bobby Gray SquirreVs Adventures ” Etc, 


Colored Illustrations by 

EDWIN y, PRETTIE 



THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY 

CHICAGO PHILADELPHIA TORONTO 


TWILIGHT ANIMAL SERIES 
FOR BOYS AND GIRLS 

FROM 4 TO 10 YEARS OF AGE 


By 

GEORGE ETHELBERT WALSH 


LIST OF TITLES 

1 BUMPER THE WHITE RABBIT 

2 BUMPER THE WHITE RABBIT IN THE WOODS 

3 BUMPER THE WHITE RABBIT AND HIS FOES 

4 BUMPER THE WHITE RABBIT AND HIS FRIENDS 

5 BOBBY GRAY SQUIRREL 

6 BOBBY GRAY SQUIRREL’S ADVENTURES 

7 BUSTER THE BIG BROWN BEAR 

8 BUSTER THE BIG BROWN BEAR’S ADVENTURES 

9 WHITE TAIL THE DEER 

10 WHITE TAIL THE DEER’S ADVENTURES 

11 WASHER, THE RACCOON 

(Other titles in preparation) 




Issued in uniform style with this volume 
PRICE 65 CENTS EACH, Postpaid 

EACH VOLUME CONTAINS COLORED ILLUSTRATIONS 


Copyright 1922 by 

THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY 


Copyright MCMXVII by George E. Walsh 

SEP 19 ’23 

©C1A711962 


INTRODUCTION TO THE 
TWILIGHT ANIMAL STORIES 
By the Author 

All little boys and girls who love animals 
should become acquainted with Bumper the 
white rabbit, with Bobby Gray Squirrel, 
with Buster the bear, and with White Tail 
the deer, for they are all a jolly lot, brave and 
fearless in danger, and so lovable that you 
wonT lay down any one of the books without 
saying wistfully, almost wish I had them 
really and truly as friends and not just story- 
book acquaintances/’ That, of course, is a 
splendid^wish; but none of us could afford to 
have a big menagerie of wild animals, and 
that’s just what you would have to do if you 
went outside of the books. Bumper had many 
friends, such as Mr. Blind Rabbit, Fuzzy Wuzz 
and Goggle Eyes, his country cousins; and 
Bobby Gray Squirrel had his near cousins, 
Stripe the chipmunk and Webb the flying 
squirrel; while Buster and White Tail were 
favored with an endless number of friends and 
relatives. If we turned them all loose from the 
books, and put them in a ten-acre lot — but 


INTRODUCTION 


no, ten acres wouldn’t be big enough to 
accommodate them, perhaps not a hundred 
acres. 

So we will leave them just where they are 
— in the books — and read about them, and 
let our imaginations take us to them where we 
can see them playing, skipping, singing, and 
sometimes fighting, and if we read very care- 
fully, and think as we go along, we may come 
to know them even better than if we went out 
hunting for them. 

Another thing we should remember. By 
leaving them in the books, hundreds and 
thousands of other boys and girls can enjoy 
them, too, sharing with us the pleasures of 
the imagination, which after all is one of the 
greatest things in the world. In gathering 
them together in a real menagerie, we would be 
selfish both to Bumper, Bobby, Buster, White 
Tail and their friends as well as to thousands 
of other little readers who could not share 
them with us. So these books of Twilight 
Animal Stories are dedicated to all little boys 
and girls who love wild animals. All others 
are forbidden to read them! They wouldn’t 
understand them if they did. 

So come out into the woods with me, and 
let us listen and watch, and I promise you it 
will be worth while. 


CONTENTi 


STORY PAGE 

I. Bumpr Hunts with the Pack, 9 

II. Bumper’s Ignorance Excites Sus- 
picion 16 

III. Bumper Saves Fuzzy Wuzz from 

Snake 23 

IV. Spotted Tail Shows Enmity 30 

V. A Test of Fleetness 37 

VI. A Test of Courage 44 

VII. A Test of Wits 51 

VIII. Spotted Tail Stirs up Revolt 58 

IX. The Work of Shrike the Butcher 

Bird 65 

X. Rusty Warns Bumper 72 

XI. The Rabbits Rise Against Bumper. 78 

XII. Spotted Tail Receives his Punish- 
ment 85 

XIII. Bumper Wins Spotted Tail’s 

Friendship 92 

XIV. Spotted Tail Proves His Loyalty. . 99 


XV. Bumper Makes Fuzzy Wuzz Queen 106 



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Bumper the White Rabbit 
In the Woods 


STORY I 

BUMPER HUNTS WITH THE PACK. 

Bumper the White Rabbit, when he escaped 
from Edith, the red-headed girl who owned the 
garden where he lived, foimd his way into the 
woods, and, after many adventures with the Bats, 
the Crow, the Fox and Buster the Bear, he was 
adopted by the wild rabbits as their leader and 
king. The Old Blind Rabbit welcomed him, and 
told the story of how it was prophesied that some 
day a pure white rabbit, with pink eyes, would 
come to deliver them from their enemies, and 
teach them how to live in the woods without fear 
of danger. 

-No one had been more surprised than Bumper 
at this sudden welcome. At first he was for tell- 
ing them he was no leader, and not fit to be their: 
king; but, as he was very lonely and without a 
9 


10 


Bumper Hunts With the Pack 


home, the fear they might drive him out of the 
burrow if he protested and explained he was just 
an ordinary timid white rabbit that had strayed 
from the city decided him to keep quiet and ac- 
cept the situation. 

Playing king was not an agreeable role for 
Bumper. In the first place, he felt unequal to 
it; and, in the second, he felt a good deal like an 
impostor. How Jimsy and Wheedles, his two 
brothers in the city, would laugh at the idea! 
They didn’t think he possessed any kingly qual- 
ities. They would even dispute his leadership in 
their own family. 

But one thing gave Bumper considerable self- 
confidence. He was the only white rabbit in the 
woods. None of the wild animals, except Buster 
the Bear, who had spent a few years in a city Zoo, 
had ever seen a white rabbit. They didn’t believe 
such a creature lived. And the pink eyes ! Why, 
they alone were enough to distinguish him from 
his country cousins, and set him apart as one 
to be admired. 

There was no question about the admiration 
all the rabbits felt for him. Respect amounting 
almost to awe for his wonderful fur of white, 
and his eyes of a delicate shade of pink, made 
them feel that he was a real king of their tribe. 

Bumper, after a while, grew accustomed to this 


Bumper Hunts With the Pack 


11 


admiration, and he began to feel pardonable 
pride in his beautiful fur. Perhaps, after all, there 
was something to the story the Old Blind Rabbit 
told. If looks made one a king then certainly 
Bumper was entitled to the position. He recalled 
the words of his mother, when she told him he 
was the handsomest of her children, with the 
purest white fur and the pinkest of pink eyes. 
Was that another indication that he was designed 
by nature to rule over his wild people? 

But on one point Bumper entertained no il- 
lusions. He was conscious of his ignorance of 
the woods and the ways of the wild creatures. 
Why, he hardly knew one from another! He 
had failed to recognize Mr. Crow on their first 
meeting, and it is doubtful if he would have 
known Mr. Fox immediately if Mr. Bull-Frog 
hadn’t pointed him out. Buster the Bear he had 
recognized, for he had seen bears in the city Zoo, 
and the Bats and Mr. Sewer Rat were old city 
friends of his. 

But the woods were full of other strange ani- 
mals. He heard Spotted Tail, a big gi’ay rabbit, 
and Fuzzy Wuzz, a demure little maiden of a 
rabbit with soft brown eyes, refer repeatedly to 
Billy the Mink, Mr. Beaver, Sleepy the Opos- 
sum, Browny the Muskrat, Washer the Raccoon 
and Curly the Skunk. Now to Bumper all these 


12 


Bumper Hunts With the Pack 


names meant nothing, for he had never met the 
owners of them. 

Were they friends or enemies of the rabbits? 
If by chance he should meet one what would he 
do? Run away as from a great danger, or greet 
him pleasantly? Which were the dangerous ani- 
mals, and which were the harmless ones? 

Unable to answer this question, and dreading 
lest he make a mistake that might cause him em- 
barrassment if he went out hunting with the pack, 
he pleaded weariness from his travels, and re- 
mained in the burrow for three whole days. 

During this time he made it a point to ply 
the Old Blind Rabbit with questions, storing up 
in his mind for future use any words of wisdom 
that dropped from the shrunken lips of the 
former leader. His attention flattered the Old 
Blind Rabbit, who told Bumper many tales and 
stories of his people, and of the troubles they ex- 
perienced in the woods. 

“ My gravest fear for my people is,” he said, 
“ that they will never learn to be fearless and 
self-possessed. A very little thing frightens 
them and makes them panicky.” 

Bumper stored this bit of information away in 
a corner of his mind. “ I must not get panicky 
even if the others do,” he said to himself. 

“ And another weakness of theirs is that they 


Bumper Hunts With the Pack 13 


always do the same thing over and over again,” 
continued the Old Blind Rabbit, “and our 
enemies know it, and thereby trap them.” 

“ I must never do the same thing twice alike,” 
Bumper reflected. “That’s dangerous in the 
woods.” 

Many other bits of wisdom fell from the lips 
of the Old Blind Rabbit, and Bumper remem- 
bered all of them. 

Of course, he couldn’t stay in the burrow for- 
ever. Sooner or later he had to hunt with the 
pack. They went out every day to get their 
food, and to enjoy the sunshine. So on the 
fourth day of his coming, when Spotted Tail 
asked him if he was going to accompany them, 
he said yes, and prepared to lead the way. 

And on that first day he applied some of the 
Old Blind Rabbit’s wisdom, which greatly in- 
creased the respect of his cousins for him. They 
were feeding on birch leaves and bark in a clear- 
ing a long, long distance from the burrow when 
they were startled by the baying of hounds. 

<“The dogs and hunters are coming,” Spotted 
Tail exclaimed in fright. “When they appear 
we must run to the left.” 

“Why to the left?” asked Bumper curiously. 

“Because rabbits always run that way, mak- 


14 


Bumper Hunts With the Pack 


ing a wide circle to throw the hounds off their 
track.” 

‘‘ But if you do that you’re sure to come back 
to the starting point, aren’t you?” asked 
Bumper. 

Spotted Tail didn’t know. He had never 
given it much thought; but now that Bumper 
mentioned it he did recall many mishaps where 
rabbits pursued by the dogs ran plump into the 
arms of hunters who seemed to be waiting for 
them. 

“ It’s a simple trick,” added Bumper. ‘‘ They 
send the dogs after you, and then stand still until 
you make a wide circle and come back to the 
starting point. Then they shoot you.” 

“ I don’t know,” replied Spotted Tail. “ But 
we’ve always circled around to the left.” 

“ Well,” said Bumper quickly, ‘‘ we’re going to 
run straight ahead to-day, and then when we 
have left the hounds behind we’ll go back to the 
burrow in another way.” 

“But all of our people have circled to the 
left — ” began Spotted Tail. 

“Come, follow me, straight ahead,” inter- 
rupted Bumper. 

There was surprise and consternation at this 
order. Old habits were strong, and Bumper was 
too new yet as a leader to impress all. Some 


Bumper Hunts With the Pack 


15 


followed him, and others without really intend- 
ing to do it began circling around to the left. 

Bumper and his followers reached home in 
safety. They easily shook off the dogs, and re- 
turned to the burrow without sighting the 
hunters. 

But not so with Spotted Tail and the few older 
ones who had followed him. They had run 
plump into the hunters, and while no one was 
seriously wounded by the shots fired at them 
several limped and showed blood on their coats. 
The Old Blind Babbit listened to the accounts 
of the chase, and then said ; 

“ What is the use of having a king and leader 
if you don’t obey his orders and follow him? The 
next time, Spotted Tail, you will listen to wis- 
dom.” 


STORY n 


bumper’s ignorance excites suspicion. 

Spotted Tail was not pleased by the rebuff 
the Old Blind Rabbit gave him in the presence 
of the others. In particular he resented it be- 
cause Fuzzy Wuzz, who had followed Bumper’s 
lead, sided against him, and seemed to think he 
was in the wrong. 

Spotted Tail had aspired to leadership of the 
family after Old Blind Rabbit’s death. In fact, 
he had been acting in that capacity for some time 
before Bumper appeared, but always taking his 
orders from their old blind leader. The sudden 
elevation of the white rabbit to the position he 
coveted had not improved his temper. 

There were several others who sympathized 
with Spotted Tail, and the division in the senti- 
ment of the burrow made Bumper feel imcom- 
fortable. He was no exception to the rule that 
“uneasy rests the head that wears a crown”, al- 
though in his case it was a crown in name only, 
that he wore. 

But his first triumph in leading the pack gave 
16 


Bumper’s Ignorance Excites Suspicion 17 


him new courage, and perhaps a little bumptuous- 
ness. “ All I’ve got to do,” he reflected, “ is to 
use my wits. That’s what saved me from Mr, 
Crow and Mr. Fox.” 

So Bumper began to study the ways of his 
country people more carefully. He made friends 
with Fuzzy Wuzz, and she taught him many 
things. For one, that it was much easier to lead 
the young people into new ways than the old 
ones. 

But on the other hand Bumper found that the 
young rabbits were inclined to be careless and 
reckless, which often got them in trouble. In- 
deed, Fuzzy Wuzz herself was apt to make mis- 
takes by doing things an older and more expe- 
rienced rabbit would not. 

But it was Bumper who made the greatest mis- 
take of all the young ones, and through his ig- 
norance nearly lost all the glory he had gained 
in leading his followers away from the hunters. 
It happened on the third trip from the burrow. 

Goggle Eyes, a fat, lazy rabbit, who was for- 
ever stuffing himself, and thinking of his stomach, 
reported a wonderful feeding ground in a clear- 
ing where a woodsman had put up a cabin and 
planted fields of turnips, cabbages, lettuce and 
other luscious vegetables. 

“ He’s away all day,” said Goggle Eyes, “ and 


18 Bumper’s Ignorance Excites Suspicion 


we don’t have to wait until dark to raid his patch. 
I crossed it to-day, and ate some of the most 
delicious turnips I ever tasted. I’ll lead you 
to it.” 

This was good news to the rabbits, for it was 
a long time since any of them had tasted turnips 
or cabbages. They don’t grow in the wild woods, 
and even Bumper hadn’t had a smell of one since 
he left the red-headed girl’s garden. 

They were all eager to visit the field, and bright 
and early, under Goggle Eyes’s leadership, they 
sallied forth. The way was through the heart of 
the big woods, and then along a beautiful stream 
of water until they came to the clearing. 

The field of vegetables was some distance from 
the cabin, and after Goggle Eyes announced that 
the coast was clear, they hopped through the rail 
fence, and began greedily filling their little 
stomachs. What a feast it was! Nothing had 
ever tasted better to Bumper and he munched the 
succulent leaves of the cabbages and lettuce and 
the thick, fleshy turnips until it seemed as if he 
couldn’t eat another mouthful. 

Then out of sheer happiness he rolled around 
in the field. The younger rabbits, taking this 
as a signal for play, began rolling and frolicking 
around, too, chasing each other’s tails in and out 
among the vegetables. Bumper forgot all the 


Bumper’s Ignorance Excites Suspicion 19 


dignity of a king and played the hardest of any. 

Goggle Eyes picked oflf a big cabbage leaf and 
tried to hide from the others under it. Spotted 
Tail jerked up a small turnip by the roots, and 
threw it over his head at him. Fuzzy Wuzz 
kicked up her hind legs and sent a shower of dirt 
all over Goggle Eyes hiding under the leaf. 

Not to be outdone by the others, Bumper 
looked around for something to throw. Near 
him, hanging from a low branch of a bush, was a 
big gray ball that wasn’t either a vegetable or a 
stone. He bumped against it with his nose, and 
found it so light that he could lift it with his 
front paws easily. 

“ Look out! ” he shouted gleefully. “ I’m go- 
ing to throw this ball at you. Goggle Eyes!” 

All the players turned, and when they saw 
what it was they looked a little horrified, and then 
taking Bumper’s threat as a joke they laughed. 

“ I dare you to do it ! ” exclaimed Spotted Tail. 

This dare was accepted at once. 

“Stand back, all of you, then!” Bumper 
added. “I want to aim straight. No,” he con- 
tinued, changing his mind, “ I won’t throw it at 
Goggle Eyes. I’ll toss it up in the air, and 

‘ What goes up must come down, 

Either on heads or on the ground.’ 


20 Bumper’s Ignorance Excites Suspicion 


‘‘You can’t do it. Bumper!” exclaimed one of 
tile older rabbits. 

“Can’t do it!” retorted Bumper, puffing up 
his cheeks at what he considered a challenge to 
his strength. The ball was twice the size of his 
head, and at a distance looked big and heavy. 
But Bumper had tested its weight, and found it 
light and easy to handle. Here was a good 
chance to make them think he was strong and 
muscular. 

He laughed good-naturedly, and added: “I’ll 
show you if I can’t! I’ve thrown bigger balls 
than this one.” 

He turned to grab it in his two front paws, 
but Fuzzy Wuzz turned suddenly pale, and cried : 

“Oh, Bumper, don’t — please don’t!” 

Proud of the attention he was attracting, and 
pleased at the thought that Fuzzy Wuzz didn’t 
want to see him strain himself, he smiled, and 
put all the strength he had in the pull that loos- 
ened the big ball from the twig. After that it 
was easy to lift it in his two paws. It was almost 
as light as a toy balloon. 

All the rabbits set up an exclamation of sur- 
prise and horror. “Oh! Oh! Run!” they 
shouted. 

Of course. Bumper thought this was from fear 
that the ball might be thrown at them, and he 


Bumper’s Ignorance Excites Suspicion 21 


smiled. But when they all scampered away to 
a great distance, and a queer humming sound 
came out of the ball he held in his paws, he began 
to wonder if he had made a mistake through 
ignorance. 

It did not take him long to find out. The hum- 
ming and buzzing inside the ball increased, and 
then out of one end appeared Mr. Yellow Jacket 
and his wife and all their children. The ball was 
a hornet’s nest, and the irate family were pour- 
ing out of their home pell-mell. 

Bumper felt a sharp sting on the end of his 
ear, a sting like the pricking of a thousand 
needles, and another on the tip of his nose. With 
that he gave a squeal of pain, and threw the 
ball far from him. The next he scampered away 
after the others, pursued by a dozen angry Yel- 
low Jackets. 

It was not until they were at a safe distance 
that they stopped. Then Spotted Tail turned to 
Bumper, and said: 

“ What an idiot you were ! Or didn’t you know 
it was Mr. Yellow Jacket’s home?” 

Bumper was on the point of confessing his 
ignorance when he thought of the consequence. 
A king should know everything, and to admit 
he didn’t know a hornet’s nest from a ball would 
be a terrible blow to his pride. So he suppressed 


22 Bumper’s Ignorance Excites Suspicion 


the groan that the pain on his ear and nose 
caused, and said indignantly: 

‘‘Know it was Mr. Yellow Jacket’s home! 
"WTiy, what an idea! But somebody had to pull 
it down, or Fuzzy Wuzz and the children might 
get stung. It was better that I should suffer 
than they, wasn’t it ? ” 

Which speech they all applauded, and said 
that Bumper was as brave as he was wise. 


STORY III 


BUMPER SAVES FUZZY WUZZ FROM SNAKE. 

While accepting smilingly the plaudits of the 
others for what seemed to be great bravery on 
his part in tearing down the hornet’s nest in the 
vegetable patch. Bumper was greatly disturbed 
by his display of ignorance. Had it dawned 
upon him that the big round ball was the home 
of Mr. and Mrs. Yellow Jacket, he would have 
scampered away with the rest. 

It was a narrow escape from disgrace. 
Spotted Tail had been suspicious, but Bumper’s 
ready wit in turning aside the awkward question 
had won him further glory. But right down in 
his heart he wasn’t sure that Spotted Tail had 
been convinced. He eyed Bumper curiously. 
Bumper was certain that he was watching him 
with suspicious eyes. 

“ I must be more careful,” he reasoned. 
“ Spotted Tail has no love for me.” 

But if Spotted Tail was disloyal, Fuzzy Wuzz 
was the soul of honor and loyalty. She looked at 
Bumper through her meek, brown eyes in a way 
23 


24 Bumper Saves Fuzzy Wuzz from Snake 


that made him happy. Fuzzy Wuzz was a par- 
ticularly handsome rabbit, and there was royal 
blood in her veins. She could trace her ancestry 
way back to the first leader of her race, the white 
rabbit who had predicted the coming of Bumper. 
That was so many years ago that none but the 
Old Blind Rabbit had any memory of it. But 
the blood of this royal leader still showed itself 
in many of his descendants. 

For instance. Fuzzy Wuzz had more white 
than brown or gray on her back and head. Her 
breast was pure white, and most of her head, 
while there were patches of it on her sides. But 
the mixture of blood had given her some very 
dark coloring, which made her anything but a 
white rabbit. 

Fuzzy Wuzz was bright and cheerful, always 
smiling or laughing, and her wit sometimes 
equalled that of Bumper. It was not unnatural, 
therefore, that Bumper should select her for spe- 
cial marks of friendship. A close intimacy 
sprang up between them, and they often hopped 
off in the woods together to feed by themselves. 

Bumper found that Fuzzy Wuzz knew a lot 
more about wood lore than he, and pursuing his 
plan to gain all the information he could from 
every one he made good use of her friendship. 
Pretending to test her knowledge, he would ask 


Bumper Saves Fuzzy Wuzz from Snake 25 


her all sorts of questions, which she answered 
readily like a school boy being quizzed by his 
teacher. 

“Why do you ask me such silly questions?” 
she asked one day. “ You’d think I didn’t know 
anything.” 

“No, that isn’t it,” replied Bumper, assuming 
a friendly attitude. “I don’t want you to get 
in trouble in the woods and when Old Blind Rab- 
bit trusts you with me I must be sure you know 
how to look after yourself if I should leave you 
for an instant. What would you do, for instance, 
if Mr. Fox should appear and chase you?” 

“Why, I’d rim if I could. Maybe I’d be so 
frightened I’d fall down in a faint.” 

“That’s what you shouldn’t do,” cautioned 
Bumper. “ If you get panicky you’d lose your 
head, and run right into his jaws.” 

“What would you do if he chased you?” she 
asked. 

“I’ll tell you what I did do when Mr. Fox 
nearly caught me,” he replied. Then he related 
to her the story of how he had induced the fox 
to look at the sun until he was temporarily 
blinded. Fuzzy Wuzz laughed at this until the 
tears ran down her cheeks. Then she added: 

“It was very bright of you. I’m sure I’d 
never think of sudhi a trick.” 


26 Bumper Saves Fuzzy Wuzz from Snake 


“I’m not so sure of that,” replied Bumper. 
“ You’re bright enough, but if you lost your wits 
you might forget what to do.” 

It was shortly after this conversation that 
Fuzzy Wuzz got in trouble, and Bumper came 
to her rescue and saved her by his wits. They 
had been feeding on the luscious stalks of wild 
celery near the marsh when they gradually got 
separated. Fuzzy Wuzz was nibbling away at 
the leaves all unconscious of danger when she 
was startled by a loud hiss in front of her. 

She looked up in surprise, and saw facing her 
not a foot away a tremendous blacksnake. He 
was the king blacksnake of the woods, with a 
body almost as big around as her head, and a 
tail that stretched way off in the distance. The 
rabbits called him Killer the Snake because he 
had destroyed so many birds and young bunnies. 
He was so big and ferocious that he could swal- 
low a small rabbit whole. 

When Fuzzy Wuzz saw Killer the Snake so 
close to her she became paralyzed with fear. In- 
stead of using her wits as Bumper had cautioned 
when in danger she simply crouched down, and 
made a pitiful little noise of terror. Killer, con- 
scious of his magnetic power, swayed his head 
back and forth, his small, beady eyes on her, 
and began approaching in slow, rhythmic motions. 


Bumper Saves Fuzzy Wuzz from Snake 27 


Fuzzy Wuzz for the life of her couldn’t move, 
but she kept up her pitiful little moaning. 

It was this noise that attracted Bumper, and 
he called out: “What’s the matter. Fuzzy 
Wuzz?” 

There was no answer but the moaning con- 
tinued. Bumper stopped chewing the delicious 
leaf he had in his mouth, and hopped in her di- 
rection. His coming must have disturbed Killer, 
for he shook his head angrily, and half turned 
to face this unknown thing hopping through the 
hushes. 

Bumper came upon Killer from behind. He 
had never seen a snake before, but the long black 
body half coiled like a rope instantly told him 
that it meant danger. A sight of Fuzzy Wuzz 
confirmed his suspicions. Bumper’s first inten- 
tion was to pounce upon the snake to save Fuzzy 
Wuzz. Then he stopped to think. No, this 
would never do. Killer might then turn and 
make short work of him. 

Bumper kept at a respectable distance while 
he tried to work his wits, although this was dif- 
ficult with Fuzzy Wuzz’s pitiful moaning in his 
ears. Then suddenly he saw his opportunity. 

Some distance back from Killer was a big 
tree that bad been snapped off near the ground 
by a terrific wind. It was still held suspended 


28 Bumper Saves Fuzzy Wuzz from Snake 


in air by a few branches and the bark that had 
not been broken by the storm. 

Bumper turned and hopped toward this tree. 
Killer watched him suspiciously, but as he re- 
mained at a safe distance he turned his head 
slowly back to Fuzzy Wuzz. Bumper began 
gnawing at the bark which held the tree sus- 
pended over the spot where Killer lay. He 
gnawed with his sharp teeth until they began to 
bleed. 

Fuzzy Wuzz, thinking that he had deserted 
her, moaned louder than ever, and Killer, sure 
now that Bumper wasn’t going to attack him 
from the rear, turned all his attention to his vic- 
tim. It was a moment of terrible suspense to 
Bumper. Would Killer reach Fuzzy Wuzz be- 
fore he could cut the bark so the tree would fall? 
How tough the bark seemed! He gnawed and 
chewed with all his might, ripping big pieces off 
it. But still the tree hung suspended in the air. 

Then suddenly, after one desperate effort, 
Bumper was rewarded by seeing the giant trunk 
drop down an inch then two inches, then — 

There was a crash like a thunder-clap, and 
sticks and branches flew in the air. Bumper 
■jumped to one side as the big trunk fell to the 
ground, catching Killer by the tail. The tree 


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The tree fell right across the lower part of the snake's body 



Bumper Saves Fuzzy Wuzz from Snake 29 


fell right across the lower part of the snake’s 
body, and pinioned him there. 

“Now run, Fuzzy Wuzz!” shouted Bumper. 
“ There’s no danger ! ” 

Fuzzy Wuzz gave one quick glance at the 
squirming, twisting snake, and then darted off 
toward home, with Bumper close behind her. 


STORY IV 


ts^OFTED TAIL SHOWS ENMITY 

You can imagine how grateful Fuzzy Wuzz 
was to Bumper for saving her from Killer the 
Snake! Not only that, but she was mightily im- 
pressed by his wisdom. Who but a king would 
have thought of gnawing off the butt of the tree 
so it would fall on Killer! 

She was so grateful that she told the story 
again and again to her people, and they seemed 
as greatly impressed as Fuzzy Wuzz at 
Bumper’s shrewdness. But Spotted Tail was not 
pleased. Perhaps he was still suspicious, and 
thought it was more luck than knowledge that 
had saved Bumper’s reputation. He still be- 
lieved that Bumper had never seen a hornet’s 
nest until that day he innocently mistook Mr. 
Yellow Jacket’s home for a big, harmless ball. 

This fact, coupled with several other little 
things that he had observed, Bumper’s avoidance 
of certain plants, for instance, that he seemed to 
think might be poisonous until the others ate 
30 


Spotted Tail Shows Enmity 


31 


them, convinced him that Bumper was not fit to 
be the leader of his people, 

“ If Old Blind Rabbit could see with his eyes,” 
he reasoned, ‘‘he’d know, too. But some day 
I’ll catch him, and show him up. He’s no king, 
for a king should know everything.” 

By letting such things dwell upon his mind. 
Spotted Tail worked himself up into a pitch of 
excitement that was not pleasant. He fancied 
himself wronged by Bumper. If the white rab- 
bit hadn’t come into the woods. Spotted Tail 
would have been chosen the natural leader. 

Jealousy and spite are enough to sour any 
disposition, and Spotted Tail was in a fair way 
of showing that he was not really fitted to be 
a leader. A good leader never grows sullen and 
discontented because somebody else happens to 
get more favors than he. Fuzzy Wuzz’s attach- 
ment to Bumper further increased Spotted Tail’s 
displeasure. In time he came almost to hating 
Bumper, and tried to think of ways and means 
to disgrace him before the others. 

Bumper was only partly conscious of this feel- 
ing toward him. He knew that Spotted Tail was 
suspicious of his knowledge of wood lore, and 
he was on his guard all the time to prevent any 
mistake that would give him away. But he never 
dreamed that the big rabbit was beginning to dis- 


32 


Spotted Tail Shows Enmity 


like him. He seldom hunted with him, and ba>d 
few words with him, but there had been no open 
enmity between them. 

Then one day in the woods Bumper foimd him- 
self unexpectedly separated from the others, with 
only Spotted Tail in view. Fuzzy Wuzz and the 
rest had crossed the brook on a natural rustic 
bridge of logs, and were feeding on the opposite 
side when Bumper discovered them. 

“ Hello 1” he exclaimed. ^‘How’d they get 
across there? Surely, they didn’t jump that dis- 
tance.” 

Spotted Tail, to whom this was addressed, re- 
plied : 

‘‘ You should know by this time that a rabbit 
never jumps a stream that he can get across any 
other way.” 

Bumper nodded and smiled. ‘‘Still, I don’t 
see how else they got across.” 

Spotted Tail said indifferently: 

“ Oh, I suppose they crossed on Mr. Beaver’s 
house.” 

This remark caused Bumper to reflect. He 
had heard of Mr. Beaver, but he wasn’t sure just 
what kind of an animal he was. And his house 
was more of a mystery to him than anything else. 

“On Mr. Beaver’s house?” he asked, before 
thinking. “ Oh, you mean — ” 


Spotted Tail Stows Enmity dS 

He stopped in confusion, and Spotted Tail 
smiled gleefully. 

‘‘You mean what?” he asked, his eyes twink- 
ling wickedly. “ Don’t you know what kind of 
a house Mr. Beaver builds?” 

“Why, what a question?” laughed Bumper, 
trying to evade a direct answer. 

“ I think it’s a very natural question,” added 
Spotted Tail. “I don’t believe you ever saw 
Mr. Beaver or his house.” 

Bumper laughed heartily at this, but it was a 
laugh to conceal his embarrassment and not an 
expression of his enjoyment. 

“Ho! Ho! You can be very comical if you 
want to!” he said. “Now maybe you can de- 
scribe what sort of a house Mr. Beaver builds. 
Let me see if you can.” 

But Spotted Tail felt he had Bumper in a 
corner, and he wasn’t to be bluffed. “I could 
describe it,” he said, leering, “but I don’t have 
to. If you have any eyes in your head you can 
see for yourself what it is like.” 

“How’s that?” asked Bumper, growing more 
uncomfortable. 

“Just what I said,” was the quick rejoinder. 
“ We’ve been standing near it for some time, and 
you can see it with your own eyes — if you know 
where to look for it.” 


84 


Spotted Tail Shows Enmity 


“Oh I Ho!” laughed Bumper, less joyously 
than before. “Mr. Beaver’s house is in plain 
sight, is it? Well, then, neither one of us will 
have to describe it.” 

“No, but where is it?” pursued Spotted Tail 
relentlessly. 

Now Bumper was in a terrible quandary. 
There was nothing in view that looked like a 
house. So he cast a glance up at the trees, hop- 
ing to find it among the branches, and then back 
through the thick, tangled bushes. There was 
nothing in sight that suggested the home of any 
animal. 

All the time his eyes were searching around 
for some evidence of Mr. Beaver’s house. Spotted 
Tail was watching him with an exultant grin on 
his face. 

“ Ah! I thought so,” he said finally, with a 
triumphant grin on his face. “ You don’t know 
what kind of a house Mr. Beaver builds. You 
don’t even know where he builds it. You’ve been 
looking for it up among the trees, and back in 
the woods. Ho ! Ho ! And you call yourself a 
leader — the king of the rabbits 1 Why, you don’t 
know anything about the woods.” 

Bumper felt he was cornered, and he was 
mighty glad the others were not present to wit- 
ness his discomfit. 


Spotted Tail Shows Enmiiy 


35 


“Now, if you’re king, show me where Mr. 
Beaver’s house is, and where he builds it!” con- 
tinued Spotted Tail. “ If you can’t I’ll go back 
and tell all the others you’re an ignorant impos- 
tor. You’re no king! You don’t know anything 
about the woods or its people. A king indeed!” 

There was such scorn and contempt in the 
voice that Bumper winced. He realized for the 
first time that he had an enemy in Spotted Tail. 
There was no other excuse for his words and ac- 
tions. 

“ Spotted Tail,” Bumper began in an injured 
voice, “ why do you dislike me, and try to offend 
me?” 

“ Don’t give me any such talk,” rudely inter- 
rupted the other. “ I see through it all. You’re 
trying to avoid the question. Answer me! 
Where’s Mr. Beaver’s house? If you don’t know, 
confess your ignorance.” 

Bumper’s wits failed him for the first time. 
He saw no way out of the corner. Spotted Tail 
had him, and the disgrace of confession was hor- 
ribly mortifying. 

A sudden splash in the water attracted his at- 
tention. A big rat-like animal was swimming 
toward the shore, with only his head and muzzle 
above the surface. Bumper watched him in fasci- 


36 


Spotted Tail Shows Enmity 


nation. When he reached the shore, he crawled 
upon it, and said quite angrily : 

“ I wish, Mr. Spotted Tail, your people would 
stop crawling across the roof of my house. It 
annoys me very much. I was fast asleep when 
they thumped over it.” 

Spotted Tail was deeply upset by this inter- 
ruption, and Bumper’s wits, coming to his rescue, 
made him smile. Speaking at a venture, he ad- 
dressed the rat-like animal. 

“ I’ll ask them not to do it again, Mr. Beaver. 
Of course, it is very annoying to be disturbed 
when asleep by people climbing over the roof 
of your house.” 

“Thank you!” replied Mr. Beaver, dipping 
into the water and swimming back to his dam. 
Bumper pointed to the dam across the stream, 
and said to Spotted Tail: “ There’s Mr. Beaver’s 
house.” 


STORY V 


A TEST OF FLEETNESS 

Confident that he had Bumper cornered, and 
that nothing but the timely appearance of Mr. 
Beaver had saved him from disgraceful confes- 
sion, Spotted Tail returned to the burrow in an 
angry mood. He had not stopped even to look 
when Bumper triumphantly pointed out the 
beaver dam. He had hoped to be able to tell the 
others how Bumper was ignorant of such a com- 
mon thing as a beaver’s dam, and now he had 
nothing but an empty triumph. Mr. Beaver had 
spoilt everything for him — that and Bumper’s 
ready wit. 

But he was all the more determined to show 
him up. He began to brag about his knowledge 
of woodcraft, telling many stories of his shrewd- 
ness and skill. Bumper remained quiet, and lis- 
tened with the others. 

Spotted Tail then switched to another subject. 
“ But it takes more than knowledge and skill to 
be a good leader,” he said. “One must be as 
swift as the wind as well as wise as the owl.” 

He stopped suddenly and turned to the white 
37 


38 


A Test of Fleetness 


rabbit. A king ought to be the swiftest runner 
of his people, Bumper. Don’t you think so ? ” 

“Yes, I suppose he should be, if — ” 

“ Then are you the fleetest runner in the 
woods?” interrupted Spotted Tail. 

“Why, I’ve never tried it. I’m sure I don’t 
know,” Bumper stammered. 

Spotted Tail, sure of his fleetness of foot, de- 
cided to challenge him to a race. Nothing would 
humiliate Bumper more than to be defeated in 
a speed trial. 

“A king should not only be the swiftest and 
wisest of his people,” he said slowly, “ but there 
should be no doubt in his own mind of it.” 

“A king doesn’t always tell what’s in his 
mind,” replied Bumper. 

“ No, but he should prove his skill and ability 
when challenged,” was the quick retort. 

“I didn’t know that I was challenged,” re- 
plied Bumper, in a weak voice. 

Spotted Tail smiled wickedly. “ But you are. 
Bumper. I, Spotted Tail, the swiftest and 
strongest rabbit in the woods, and the wisest, 
challenge you to run a race with me. Are you 
afraid?” 

Spotted Tail’s friends immediately clapped 
their paws and nodded their heads. Fuzzy Wuzz 
and the other followers of Bumper looked a little 


A Test of Fleetness 


39 


worried, but their faith in their white leader came 
to their rescue. 

“Yes, yes,’’ they said in a breath, “Bumper 
will race Spotted Tail, and prove to him that he 
is no longer the swiftest and strongest rabbit of 
the woods.” 

“Of course! Of course!” echoed Spotted 
Tail’s friends. “There will be a race — a fair 
race — and a long race. We will all turn out to 
see it.” 

Bumper’s heart began to quake. Spotted Tail 
had long, powerful legs and he could use them 
to good purpose. He was cut out for a fleet run- 
ner, and Bumper had no illusions on that point. 
His life in the city had never given him a chance 
to train for long running, and his muscles had 
never been fully developed. He had his misgiv- 
ings about his speed when compared with that of 
this big, powerful wild cousin of his. 

Yet, as he recalled the wild flight he had made 
when pursued by the bats in the sewer, and of 
his subsequent race with Mr. Fox in the woods, 
a smile crept into his face. He had certainly run 
fast on those two occasions. 

“Fear makes a rabbit run faster than any- 
thing else,” he remembered hearing the Old Blind 
Rabbit remark one day. 

“ I wish then,” Bumper said to himself, “ if I 


40 


A Test of Fleetness 


must race with Spotted Tail I'd get a good fright. 
Maybe I would beat him then.” 

There was no way out of the challenge. 
Spotted Tail had made it, and all the others, in- 
cluding friends and foes, had taken it up. 
Bumper could not withdraw without disgracing 
himself. 

The test of speed was to be one of endurance 
as well as of fleetness of foot. It was arranged 
to run a mile straight out to Mr. Beaver’s dam, 
and back again. A committee of four were to 
wait for them at the dam to see that each con- 
testant rounded the point. This would prevent 
any trick on the part of either one. 

Bumper realized right away that it was speed 
and endurance that would tell. Wit and wisdom 
would have nothing to do with the decision. 
Spotted Tail really had the advantage, for he was 
more familiar with the trails and by-paths so that 
he could seek out the best in going and coming. 

Nevertheless, Bumper put up a brave front, 
and entered the race with the determination to do 
his best. They started from the burrow on even 
terms, and shot through the bushes at a tremen- 
dous speed. For a time they kept abreast within 
sight of each other. Then they became separated, 
for Spotted Tail veered off to the right to follow 
an easier trail. 


A Test of Fleetness 


41 


Bumper had great difficulty in getting to the 
beaver’s dam, for twice he got lost in the bushes, 
And had hard work finding the trail again. He 
lost so much by this that when he reached the 
dam, he was not surprised to hear his friends 
shout : 

“Hurry! Hurry, Bumper! Spotted Tail’s 
on his way back! ” 

The first half of the race was lost to him; but 
he could not refrain from calling back to his 
friends : “ Tlie race is never decided until it’s fin- 
ished.” 

F uzzy Wuzz and the others clapped their hands 
at this confident remark. Instead of losing faith 
in him they were more certain than ever that 
Bumper would win. 

Well, it didn’t look so to Bumper. He felt 
that he could never overtake Spotted Tail and 
beat him to the finish. He might be a quarter 
of a mile ahead of him, and running like the 
wind. The disheartening effect of being beaten 
to the first stake told on his speed, and he ran 
only half-heartedly. 

Then suddenly out of the bushes on his right 
sprang something red and flashing. Bumper 
caught sight of it, and his heart gave a great 
bound of fear. It was Mr. Fox! 

Bumper’s fright was so great that he sprang 


42 


A Test of Fleetness 


over a clump of bushes that he never thought he 
could clear. Then, with his heart in his mouth, 
he ran for dear life. The Old Blind Rabbit’s 
wise remark that “ fear makes a rabbit run faster 
than anything else ” never occurred to him. He 
was too frightened to think of anything. But, 
oh, how he ran! His feet barely touched the 
ground. He seemed to be flying rather than run- 
ning. Never — not even when the Bats pursued 
him — had he run so fast. 

And the fox kept close behind him, gaining a 
few steps now and then, but losing whenever 
Bumper took one of his wild leaps. It was a 
terrible race, in which death or life was the stake. 
If he weakened or faltered an instant, those red, 
dripping jaws would have him. 

When Bumper came within sight of the bur- 
row near the big rock, he could see the rabbits 
waiting for the end of the race. They were talk- 
ing and chatting among themselves. Spotted 
Tail was not in sight. Perhaps he had already 
finished. 

“Scatter! Scatter for your life!” called 
Bumper, as he took a wild leap in the air. 

“It’s Bumper!” some one cried. Then they 
caught sight of the red streak in pursuit. “ Mr. 
Fox is after him! Run for the burrow! ” 

They scampered for shelter just as Bumper 


A Test of Fleetness 


43 


cleared tbe starting line and eluded the fox by 
a narrow margin. Once inside the burrow, he 
asked: “Where’s Spotted Tail?” 

“He hasn’t come yet. You won the race, 
Bumper I ” 

And later, when Spotted Tail appeared, he 
was in a crestfallen mood, for when the race was 
apparently won by him he had been frightened 
off the trail by the sudden appearance of Mr. 
Fox. Instead of running straight ahead, he had 
dodged into the bushes to hide. 

“When you’re racing,” remarked Bumper, 
“you don’t want to turn aside fm* anything — 
not even to save your hide.” 


STORY VI 


A TEST or COUEAGE 

Spotted Tail was so chagrined by losing the 
race that he immediately began to scheme to 
humiliate Bumper in some other way. He was 
confident that the race hadn’t gone to the swiftest 
and strongest, but he could not convince the 
others of this. The story of how the tortoise beat 
the hare in a race, because the latter had lain 
down to sleep on the way, was an old joke among 
the rabbits, and Spotted Tail’s excuses only 
aroused mirth and derision. 

No, clearly. Spotted Tail could not redeem his 
lost glory by challenging Bumper to another 
race. But there were other ways to discredit 
him in the eyes of his people. 

“Oh, Bumper, King of the rabbits!” he ex- 
claimed one day in mock courtesy. “ The Lion 
is called the King of the beasts, and he won that 
title by his bravery and courage. Do you think 
that should make one king?” 

“Courage is a quality that every king and 
leader should have,” replied Bumper, cautiously. 

“Greater than that of any of his subjects?” 

44 


A Test of Courage 


^45 


Bumper hesitated, for he feared a trap; but 
when all the others looked at him, waiting upon 
his words, he felt that he had to assent. 

‘‘Yes, I suppose he should be the bravest of 
his people.” 

“ Then,” smiled Spotted Tail, “ you must be 
the bravest of all the rabbits in the woods — braver 
than Old Blind Rabbit ever was, or any of the 
young ones here.” 

“ I shouldn’t like to claim that,” faltered 
Bumper, modestly. 

“ Then you shouldn’t be king. Isn’t that the 
law of the woods? ” 

“A leader should be as brave as any of his 
people,” Bumper answered, “not braver. Per- 
haps that would be impossible.” 

“Well said,” muttered the Old Blind Rabbit. 
“There are many of my people who are brave 
as any king, and more could not be asked of their 
leader.” 

Spotted Tail licked his lips and smiled. “We 
should make a test,” he added, “to see who are 
the brave ones among us. All who choose can 
enter it. Has any one a test to suggest?” 

There was absolute silence. Spotted Tail 
knew no one would think of a suitable test on the 
spur of the moment. So he proposed one him- 
self, one that he had had in mind for some days. 


46 


A Test of Coura^ 


“Suppose, then,” he added, still smiling, “we 
cross, one by one. Swinging Bridge, and those 
who get over safely will be entitled to be called 
brave.” 

There was a gasp of surprise and consterna- 
tion. Swinging Bridge was a small tree that had 
fallen across Rocky Ford where the river cut 
deep through a narrow gorge. The tree seemed 
almost suspended in mid-air by the vines and 
bushes, and was very dangerous. Every wind 
swung it back and forth like a hammock strung 
between two trees. 

No rabbit had ever dared to cross it. It was 
supposed to be an impossible feat. The tree 
was so small and slippery that it afforded small 
chance for an animal without claws to walk across 
it. It hung fifty feet from the river’s bed so that 
a fall from it meant almost sure death. 

It was foolhardy to try it. Bobby Gray Squir- 
rel could run across it easily, but that was be- 
cause he had claws with which to cling to it. 
Sleepy the Opossum and Washer the Raccoon 
could likewise walk across the bridge without 
fear of falling. But for a rabbit, whose feet were 
not made to climb, it was a dangerous undertak- 
ing. 

“Oh, no, iK)t that!” exclaimed Fuzzy Wuzz, 
shuddering. 


A Test of Courage 


47 


“Why not?” asked Spotted Tail. ^‘It will 
be a wonderful record for any rabbit who can 
do it. What do you say, Bumper? ” 

“ I’m willing if you are,” Bumper replied, 
feeling that he could not withdraw from the chal- 
lenge. 

“ Then we will draw lots to see who goes first,” 
promptly added Spotted Tail, who had arranged 
the whole thing. 

“ That isn’t fair,” interrupted one of Bumper’s 
followers. “The challenger should go first.” 

“Since when was drawing lots unfair?” 
queried Spotted Tail. “ I appeal to your judg- 
ment, Old Blind Rabbit. Isn’t it fair?” 

The old leader of the rabbits hesitated for a 
moment, but he had to admit that this form 
of selection had been common with his people 
as long as he could recollect. 

So when he decided in favor of Spotted Tail, 
the work of choosing their order of going across 
the bridge began. There were ten who stepped 
forward to accept the challenge. The Old Blind 
Rabbit held the sticks as each one stepped up to 
choose. Bumper got the short one, either through 
chance or through some trick Spotted Tail had 
arranged. No one could say which it was, but a 
murmur of dissent went up at once. 

“ It wasn’t a fair drawing ! ” they cried. “ Try 


48 


A Test of Courage 


it over again. Spotted Tail played a trick on 
Bumper.'’ 

“No,” interrupted Bumper, “we’ll not draw 
lots again. I’ll cross Swinging Bridge first.” 

This decision was accepted with applause, and 
the rabbits trooped through the woods to Swing- 
ing Bridge. Bumper’s first sight of it made him 
shiver. It was worse than he had imagined. The 
chasm was at least thirty feet across, and the 
butt end of the tree was not more than eight 
inches in diameter, while the smaller end seemed 
to dwindle away into a mere whip. In fact, the 
tree could never have remained in its position 
if it hadn’t been for the vines suspending it. 

“ I’ll begin on this end,” Bumper said, choos- 
ing the butt end of the tree. His quick eye had 
seen the only possible chance for crossing. Half 
way across, where the tree grew smaller rapidly, 
there was a crotch which offered a firm footing. 
Bumper decided to walk out to this, and then 
reach the other side in one tremendous hop. That 
would be crossing the bridge, for nothing in the 
terms had been said about the manner of going. 

While the others held their breath, and Fuzzy 
Wuzz shook and trembled with fear. Bumper 
hopped on the tree, and began making his way 
slowly along. He dared not look below where 


A Test of Courage 


49 


the river rolled and tossed over the rocks. He 
kept his eyes on the crotch ahead. 

He reached this without accident. Then 
paused. The rest of the way was too perilous 
for any rabbit to proceed. Spotted Tail smiled 
to himself. He knew that it would be the last 
of the white rabbit if he attempted it. 

Bumper crouched low, fastened his hind feet 
firmly in the crotch, and then, to the surprise 
of all, leaped into the air in one tremendous 
spring that carried him clear across to the other 
side. His heart was beating at a lively rate, but 
when he realized that he had performed the diffi- 
cult feat a little glow of triumph spread over 
his face. 

“Wonderful! Good for Bumper!” were the 
cries from the other side that reached his ears. 

“Now Spotted Tail, it’s your turn!” some 
one said. 

But Spotted Tail was white and trembling. 
He had never expected to be called upon to at- 
tempt it. With the death of Bumper in the 
river below, they would call the test off. It would 
be suicidal for another to try it. But now all 
was changed. Bumper was safe on the other 
side, and they were calling on him to cross. He 
crouched in abject fear, and seemed ready to ask 
for mercy when Bumper spoke. 


50 


A Test of Courage 


“No,” he said, “it isn’t safe. It’s a foolhardy 
thing to do. I forbid any one else trying it. You 
understand. Spotted Tail, I forbid it ! ” 

Spotted Tail raised his head hopefully, and a 
cunning, cringing expression came into his eyes. 
“ The king must be obeyed,” he said. 

Then boastfully, walking away: “But I could 
have crossed without jumping half the way. 
That was not included in the terms of the test.” 


STORY VII 


THE TEST OF WITS 

Of course, Spotted Tail was glad that he had 
been relieved of making the terrible test of 
courage in crossing Swinging Bridge, but, at the 
same time, he was chagrined that Bumper had 
come out of the contest with greater honors than 
ever. It seemed as if in some way the white 
rabbit managed to make good by successfully 
crawling out of every corner in which Spotted 
Tail put him. 

It’s just luck — blind luck,” growled Spotted 
Tail to himself. And so it seemed to him, for 
he was unwilling to face the truth, and accept it. 
It is always easier to blame luck for our failures, 
and Spotted Rabbit was like a good many boys 
and girls in this respect. 

Instead of feeling any gratitude to Bumper 
for saving him the humiliation of his life by for- 
bidding any rabbit to undertake the crossing. 
Spotted Tail allowed his rancor to increase day 
by day until he was in a fine frame of mind. He 
wanted more than ever to “get even” with 
Bumper, as he expressed it. 

51 


52 


The Test of Wits 


Then one day when the opportunity seemed 
to come to him, he was prepared to take advan- 
tage of it. It was to be a test of wits, this time. 
Without his knowing it, this was the one ground 
on which Bumper was eager to be challenged. 
It is to be feared that Bumper had an inordinate 
conceit about his ability to get out of difficult 
places by using his wits. 

So when Spotted Tail started in the usual way 
to work up to a challenge. Bumper readily en- 
couraged him. “A good king is always a wise 
king, isn’t he, Bumper?” he asked. 

“ He couldn’t be a good king if he wasn’t wise,” 
was the smiling retort. 

‘‘Just so. I agree with you. But what is 
wisdom? Can you describe it? ” 

“ Can you describe the sunlight. Spotted Tail? 
You see it every day, and you know it when you 
see it. But can you describe it? ” 

“ I can describe it by saying that it is just the 
opposite of darkness,” Spotted Tail replied, a 
little at a loss for a good answer to this imex- 
pected question. 

“ Then I can describe wisdom in the same way. 
It’s the opposite of ignorance.” 

Spotted Tail frowned when the others laughed 
and clapped their paws at this retort. 

“But what I meant,” continued the discom- 


The Test of Wits 


53 


fitted rabbit, recovering his composure, “is the 
application of wisdom. How do we know a thing 
is wise irntil we’ve tried it?” 

“ How do we know a thing is hot or cold until 
we’ve burnt or frozen our paw? By experience. 
Spotted Tail, we know that it isn’t necessary to 
run into a fire and scorch ourselves every time 
we see one to find out whether it is hot.” 

“ Exactly, Bumper, but some things we don’t 
know by experience. Suppose you had never 
been in the water and didn’t know how to swim, 
but you’d seen other animals swim. Now, if you 
fell in the water, what would you do? Would 
the knowledge that you’d seen others swim save 
you?” 

“ Perhaps,” replied Bumper, hesitatingly. 
Then, smiling, he added: “ But the first thing I’d 
do would be to look around for a raft. That 
would be safer than trying to learn to swim. 
Don’t you think that would be the wise thing to 
do?” 

“ Yes, if there was a raft handy. But suppose 
there was none in sight. What would you do 
then?” 

Bumper stretched himself, and answered laz- 
ily: “I can’t say, Spotted Tail, until I was put 
to the test. But I think I’d use my wits or try 
to.” 


54 


The Test of Wits 


They had been sunning themselves on a board 
some hunter had stretched across a bend in the 
river. Spotted Tail had lured Bumper to the 
far end of the board for his wicked purpose. The 
middle of the board rested on a stone, and some- 
times the young rabbits used it as a see-saw. 
By running out to the ends two rabbits could 
make it jump up and down so that it splashed 
in the water and made a great commotion. 

Spotted Tail was sitting next to Bumper on 
the far end which stretched over very deep water. 
He turned now to him, and asked: 

“Can you swim. Bumper? Were you ever 
in the water over your head? ” 

“No,” Bumper answered truthfully, “but 
some day I must learn. I think I’ll begin to take 
lessons.” 

“ Well, to-day is as good as any day to begin,” 
replied Spotted Tail. 

Before Bumper realized what he meant by this 
remark, he leaped high in the air, and landed on 
the other end of the spring-board with a thud. 
The result was that Bumper was shot straight 
up into the air nearly two feet right over the 
deepest part of the river. He turned a complete 
somersault in the air, and made a frantic struggle 
to reach the end of the board as he came down. 


The Test of Wits 


55 


But he missed it by a foot, and fell plump in the 
river. 

He went down, down, down out of sight. It 
seemed an age before he came up again, wet, be- 
draggled and puffing. The fright caused by his 
sudden ducking threatened to make him panicky, 
and his first thought was to squeal for help and 
splash around like a child in a bathtub. 

But Spotted Tail’s words aroused him. 
“ Now, Bumper,” he called, ‘‘ you’ve got a chance 
to use your wits. Let me see what you can do 
to get ashore.” 

It was a cruel, cold-blooded thing to do, and 
the other rabbits who had seen the whole thing 
from the shore came scurrying to the rescue, 
shouting; ‘‘Shame! Shame on you. Spotted 
Tail!” 

But, of course, this didn’t help Bumper any. 
The water was very deep wh^re he had fallen in, 
and there wasn’t the sign of anything that could 
be used as a raft. Could he swim? Not much! 
By frantic efforts he could keep his head above 
water. Nearly every wild animal can do this 
even when a tiny baby. But that wouldn’t get 
him to the shore until he was exhausted. 

But just when he was beginning to feel that 
he would drown his hind feet touched something. 
It was a big rock in the middle of the stream 


56 


The Test of Wits 


which could not be seen from the spring-board 
or the shore. Bumper found that by standing 
on his two hind feet on the rock, he could just 
keep his head and neck above the surface. This 
gave him sudden courage, and a thought. He 
stood stock still on the rock, and turned to the 
one who had thrown him in. 

‘‘ It is much more dignified for a king to float 
upright. Spotted Tail,” he said, '‘than to swim. 
Can you stand in the water like this?” 

Spotted Tail and the others were amazed by 
the sight of Bumper standing perfectly still in 
the deep water, with his head and neck just above 
the surface. 

" Come now. Spotted Tail, you have chal- 
lenged me to everything you could think of,” con- 
tinued Bumper, “ Now it is your turn to accept 
my challenge. Either show me that you can 
stand in the deep water, or desist from further 
attempts to humiliate me. You must do one or 
the other, or I shall hold your challenges in con- 
tempt hereafter.” 

Of course. Spotted Tail knew he could never 
perform this miracle, and he was at a loss to un- 
derstand how Bumper could do it. “ Then,” con- 
tinued Bumper when he showed no intention of 
coming in, “ you are disgraced before all of your 
people.” 


The Test of Wits 


57 


All the while Bumper had been watching for 
a way to get ashore. He had been feeling with 
his hind legs for other rocks in the deep river. 
To his joy he found one, and quickly stepped to 
it. There was a series of stepping-stones, which 
hunters used to cross the river when it was shal- 
low. They were hidden from view now by the 
flood. Bumper made his way cautiously from 
one to the other until he reached shallow water, 
and then he hopped gracefully ashore, much to 
Spotted Tail’s chagrin. 


STORY VIII 


SPOTTED TAIL STIRS UP WSVOLT 

Spotted Tail was in disgrace. Not only had 
he wickedly thrown Bumper into the deep water 
in full view of all the others, but he had refused 
to accept the first challenge made to him. He 
knew that he could never live down both. One 
was enough to bring him into contempt, but the 
two together practically robbed him of all further 
influence among his people. 

But instead of accepting his disgrace in a con- 
trite spirit, he became moody and sullen. When 
the others, including Fuzzy Wuzz, avoided him, 
and passed him in silence, he gnashed his teeth in 
a fine rage. 

Then he very naturally laid all the blame to 
Bumper, excusing himself from any guilt. This 
did not improve his manners any, and finally, 
satisfied that he could get no sympathy in his 
home burrow, he decided to seek revenge outside. 

He would spread the tale among all his people 
in the woods that the white rabbit was a fraud, 
and that it was his intention to make them all 
submit to his rule. This would naturally cause 
58 


Spotted Tail Stirs up Revolt 


59 


general anger, and perhaps stir up a revolt. The 
coming of Bumper in the woods had not reached 
far. Rumors spread slowly unless taken up by 
the birds, and Bumper had made no attempt to 
interest them in his cause. He was too busy 
learning the ways of the woods and the duties 
of a king and leader. 

Spotted Tail decided to get ahead of him and 
spread the news first, distorting it to suit his 
purpose. He appealed to Rusty the Blackbird 
first. “Rusty, you’ve always been a friend of 
mine,” he said, meeting him one day. “Now, 
will you do me a great favor?” 

“ Tell me what it is first. Spotted Tail,” was 
the reply. 

“ It is this. Rusty. Bumper the White Rabbit 
has come into the woods from somewhere, and 
proclaimed himself king of all the rabbits. He 
is a cruel king, and intends to wage warfare upon 
all the burrows that do not submit to his rule. I 
want you to spread the news all over the woods, 
and warn all leaders of burrows to rise in revolt,” 

Rusty looked at the speaker, and flirted his 
wings. “No, no. Spotted Tail,” he replied. 
“ I’m no carrier of evil messages. Besides, I’ve 
met Bumper the White Rabbit, and I liked him. 
He didn’t seem to me cruel or a bad sort of 
feUow.” 


Spotted Tail Stirs up Revolt 


Spotted Tail appealed next to Mr. Wood- 
pecker, who listened to his story in silence, and 
then tapped the trunk of a tree with his long, 
hard bill. ‘‘No, no, no!’’ he said, keeping time 
with his taps. “I don’t believe your story. 
Spotted Tail. Bumper’s not that kind. Good- 
bye.” 

Spotted Tail looked disappointed. He was 
very sore and grouchy. It seemed as if the birds 
as well as the rabbits were all against him. Why 
did they all like Bumper the White Rabbit so 
much? 

He met Towhee the Chewink next, and ap- 
proached her with a smile and friendly greeting, 
but when he had stated his grievance, and made 
his request, modest little Towhee laughed in his 
face. 

“ I’ve got better business than spreading sucK 
news,” she replied. “You’ll have to find another 
messenger.” 

In turn Spotted Tail approached Piney the 
Purple Finch, Mrs. Phoebe Bird and Mr. Crested 
Flycatcher, and received from each one the same 
reply. None of them would imdertake the work 
of stirring up a revolt against Bumper. 

He was in despair, and was bemoaning his luck 
wh«i suddenly a yoice startled him. “ What’s 


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It was Shrike, the Butcher Bird, 

DREADED AND 


WHOSE VERY NAME MADE HIM 
HATED 




Spotted Tail Stirs up Revolt 


61 


tKe matter, Spotted Tail? You look black 
enough to obscure the sun.” 

It was Shrike the Butcher Bird, whose very 
name made him dreaded and hated. Shrike had 
the unpleasant habit of catching insects, lizards, 
frogs, and sometimes small birds, and sticking 
them on thorns until he or his mate was ready to 
eat them. This disgusting and cruel habit made 
him an outcast among the birds, and very few 
would have anything to do with him. Naturally, 
it soured his disposition, and made him irritable 
and imfriendly. 

Spotted Tail looked up and a gleam of hope 
entered his eyes. Why not ask the Shrike to 
spread the message that would stir up trouble? 
By so doing he would accomplish two things. He 
would get even with the birds who had refused 
to listen to his plea, and accomplish the downfall 
of Bumper. 

“ I have enough trouble to make me look blue,” 
Spotted Tail replied. “ Even the brightness of 
the sun doesn’t make me feel happy.” 

‘‘ It must be trouble indeed, then,” laughed the 
Shrike, “ for it’s a beautiful day, and everybody 
else feels happy. What is it?” 

“ Alack ! And alas ! ” sighed the rabbit. “ I’m 
afraid you won’t sympathize with me any more 
than Mr. Woodpecker or Rusty the Blackbird 


62 


Spotted Tail Stirs up Revolt 


or any of the others. I have told my tale to 
them, and they only laught at me.” 

A wicked gleam flashed from the eyes of Shrike 
the Butcher Bird. “ Rusty and Mr. Woodpecker 
are self -conceited birds, and what they think 
don’t amount to much. Little I’d care what 
they said or did.” 

“But they won’t carry my message,” added 
Spotted Tail. “And if no one will do it how 
can I save the rabbits of the woods from the ter- 
rible thing that is coming to them? ” 

“What is this terrible thing?” queried the 
Shrike, growing interested. 

“ It’s about Bumper the White Rabbit,” con- 
tinued the dejected rabbit, sighing heavily. “ He 
has come into the woods to rule over all my 
people, and he is a cruel, selfish king. He intends 
to make all of us his slaves. He won’t listen to 
reason, but says he’s appointed to rule, and any 
one who disputes his right he will drive from the 
woods.” 

The Shrike smiled. “Why don’t you drive 
him from the woods? ” he asked. “ I never knew 
you to be afraid of anything. I’d quickly put 
an end to his rule.” 

“Quite right, Mr. Shrike. I would do it if 
it was only Bumper I had to fight. But he has 
come into our burrow, and by tricks and strange 


Spotted Tail Stirs up Revolt 


63 


ways won over Old Blind Rabbit, Fuzzy Wuzz, 
Goggle Eyes, and all the others. They’re going 
to help him to rule in the woods.” 

“ Ah! Hum! ” mused the Shrike. “ So that’s 
the trouble! You’re the only good rabbit in the 
burrow?” 

“ Oh, no, I didn’t mean that,” protested Spotted 
Tail. “I’m no better than the others, but he 
couldn’t deceive me. I saw through his tricks, 
and because I opposed him I’m in disfavor.” 

“And what is this message you want me to 
carry to the rest of the rabbits in the woods?” 

“ I wish to put them on their guard so Bumper 
cannot deceive them. If they would rise in their 
might they could overwhelm him even if all my 
family backed him up. If a revolt isn’t begun 
right away, he will win them by degrees, and 
then it will be too late.” 

“ And Rusty and Mr. Woodpecker refused to 
carry the message?” queried the Shrike. 

“ Yes,” sighed Spotted Tail. “ I don’t believe 
they like me. I’ve never been very friendly with 
the birds.” 

Shrike the Butcher Bird hesitated for a mo- 
ment to impale a worm on a thorn for future use, 
and then said: 

“All right. Spotted Tail. Ill carry the mes- 
sage to every rabbit burrow in the woods.” 


64 


Spotted Tail Stirs up Revolt 


‘‘Oh, Shrike, you’re so kind!” exclaimed 
Spotted Tail; but the bird interrupted him with 
a harsh laugh. 

“ It isn’t because I like you. Spotted Tail,” he 
said, “ that I’m doing this, but just to spite the 
other birds. I’ll punish them for scorning and 
disliking me. That’s why I do it. Good-bye! 
I’ll begin spreading the news right away.” 


STORY IX 


THE WOEK OP SHKIKE THE BUTCHEE BIBB 

Sheike the Butcher Bird was as good as his 
word. He was a vindictive bird, and it actually 
gave him pleasure in spreading Spotted Tail’s 
message because all the other birds had refused. 
First he went to White Tail at the far end of 
the woods, for he knew that White Tail was a 
big rabbit who, at one time, had had trouble with 
the Old Blind Rabbit. 

“Oh, White Tail,” called the Shrike, “here 
is news for you! Bumper the White Rabbit has 
been proclaimed king of the woods by Old Blind 
Rabbit, and he intends to make all of you his 
slaves.” 

White Tail reared himself on his hind legs, and 
clicked his teeth. “If you’d come with good 
news. Shrike, I wouldn’t have believed you; but 
as the carrier of bad news I think there must 
be something in it. Who sent you?” 

“ Spotted Tail.” 

“Ah! Spotted Tail! I never did like him, 
but I never knew him to spread false news. If 
65 


66 The Work of Shrike the Butcher Bird 


Bumper comes to interfere with my family, he 
will — Well/" leering, “I will tell him what I 
think of him. Good-day, Shrike, and much 
obliged for your trouble.’" 

Next, Shrike the Butcher Bird interviewed 
Brindley the Lame, so named because of a limp 
he had from infancy. Brindley was a good- 
natured rabbit, and ruled over his burrow with 
kindness, and was loved wherever he went. 

‘^Ah, Brindley!” cried Shrike, when he met 
him in front of his burrow sunning himself. 
“ You look well to-day, and as fat as butter. Too 
bad to spoil your rest with bad news."" 

“Bad news never spoil my rest,” was the 
grinning reply. “I always sleep over it, and 
then when I wake up I find it isn’t so bad as it 
seemed.” 

“Well, you’ll think differently when I tell you 
this. All the rabbits in the woods are rising in 
revolt against Bumper the White Rabbit that 
has come here to rule over them as king.” 

“ Indeed! Who are all the rabbits you speak 
of?” 

“ Spotted Tail, White Tail, and many others.” 

“Ah! Um!” sighed Brindley. “Then 
Bumper’d better look out. I wouldn’t want to 
be wearing his crown.” 

“But aren’t you going to join the revolt?” 


The Work of Shrike the Butcher Bird 67 


asked the Shrike. “ Or are you so good-natured 
you’d submit to any tyrant who came along?” 

“ I’m never so good-natured as when I’m think- 
ing seriously. Shrike,” was the retort, “Now, 
I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll sleep over it, and 
then I won’t do anything hasty.” 

There was Crooked Ears, a big rabbit who 
ruled over a family of twenty in a burrow buried 
deep under the cliff; Pink Nose, whose family 
was noted for the remarkably pinkish tinge that 
decorated the tips of their noses ; and Roily Polly, 
who was so round and fat that he could roll down 
a hill faster than he could rim. They lived in 
different parts of the woods, and it took all the 
morning for the Shrike to find them and spread 
the news. 

They accepted the tale with different degrees 
of surprise and distrust. Roily Polly was too 
fat and pleasant to let it worry him much, and 
Pink Nose was more interested in what Bumper 
looked like than his mission in the woods. When 
the Shrike explained that he was a pure white 
rabbit, with pink eyes. Pink Nose eagerly asked: 

“What’s the color of his nose?” 

Knowing his fondness for pink-nosed rabbits, 
and fearing that he might claim kinship with 
Bumper if he said he had a pink nose. Shrike pur- 
posely stretched the truth. 


68 The Work of Shrike the Butcher Bird 


“ It is all white, the same as his fur — every- 
thing white except his pink eyes.” 

Pink Nose looked disappointed. ‘‘I wish he 
had a pink nose,” he said sadly. “ Then I’d know 
he was related to me.” 

‘‘Pink! Oh! Ho! ’’laughed the Shrike. “He 
hates pink-nosed rabbits.” 

“Who told you that?” snapped Pink Nose. 

“ Spotted Tail ! ” he lied without blinking. 

Pink Nose’s eyes turned a dark green, and the 
Shrike flew away, knowing that he had planted 
the seeds of discord in the mind of a perfectly 
good-natured rabbit. 

Crooked Ears was a big surly rabbit, whose 
disposition had been spoilt when very young by 
an accident which had twisted his ears so they 
looked more like pretzels than anything else. 
The Shrike was quick to detect Crooked Ears’ 
weak point. He was forever trying to hide his 
crooked ears, and he lay stretched out in the sun 
with his paws drawn up over them as if ashamed 
to have any one see them. 

The Shrike told him the news, but Crooked 
Ears said peevishly: “Oh, go away! Don’t dis- 
turb me now. I’m very sleepy.” 

The Shrike whistled and fluttered his tail 
feathers in disdain. “ All right. Crooked Ears,” 


The Work of Shrike the Butcher Bird 6$ 


he added, “ I thought you’d like to know of the 
revolt, and of Bumper’s threat.” 

“ What was his threat? ” asked Crooked Ears, 
sleepily, 

“That he’d bite and twist the ears of every* 
rabbit that opposed him until they all looked like 
yours.” 

“ He said that! ” growled Crooked Ears, rising. 
“ He made fun of my ears ! ” 

“Made fun of them! Oh! Ho! What a 
joke! Listen, Crooked Ears, and I’ll tell you 
what he said about them.” 

Crooked Ears seemed to be all ears now, for 
his anger was aroused. “He said,” continued 
the Shrike, “that all rabbits with crooked ears 
should be run from the woods. They were not 
fit to live with rabbits that had good, straight 
ears. Does that interest you? ” 

“ I don’t believe you! ” snapped Crooked Ears, 
but the Shrike only laughed shrilly, and flew 
away to find another burrow. He knew that he 
had angered Crooked Ears and poisoned his mind 
against Bumper. 

All the day he flew from burrow to burrow, 
spreading the evil news, until by night every 
rabbit in the woods knew of Bumper’s coming, 
and believed that he was going to declare him- 
self king and make every one of his people a 


70 The Work of Shrike the Butcher Bird 


slave. There was a pow-wow that night in every 
burrow, and the talk of what to do ran high. 
Some were angry and indignant; others more 
amused than angry, and a few so belligerent that 
they wanted to set out on the war path at once.i 

When the Shrike returned to Spotted Tail, he 
gleefully told all that he had done, and seemed 
greatly amused by the latter’s joy. Spotted Tail 
thanked him over and over again until the 
Shrike’s amusement was uncontrollable. He 
laughed and whistled as if it were a very great 
joke. Then, cocking his head sideways, he 
added: 

‘‘ You needn’t thank me. Spotted Tail, for I 
didn’t do it to please you. It was just to spite 
the other birds.” 

‘'Just the same you have done me a great 
favor, and I’m grateful for it,” was the answer. 

“ Favor ! Favor, you call it ! Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! 
Wait and see. Spotted Tail. My mission isn’t 
done yet.” 

“ You haven’t told all the rabbits?” 

“Yes, and now I’m going to tell all the ani- 
mals — Buster the Bear, Mr. Fox, Billy the 
Mink, Washer the Raccoon, and all the others. 
There’ll be a right merry time when they see you 
fighting among yourselves. I think Mr. Fox 


The Work of Shrike the Butcher Bird 71 


and Buster may take a hand in it. What a chance 
they’ll have for a good meal!” 

And still laughing shrilly, he flew away, leav- 
ing Spotted Tail in a very unpleasant frame of 
mind. Suppose the other animals should take 
advantage of the revolt to pounce upon the rab- 
bits. How much innocent blood would be spilled 
because of his trickery! 


STORY X 


RUSTY WARNS BUMPER 

Of course, Bumper knew nothing about the 
revolt that Spotted Tail had stirred up in the 
woods against him. After all, he felt a little 
sympathy for Spotted Tail when all the others 
began to ignore him and give him the cold shoul- 
der. But really there was nothing he could do, 
for Spotted Tail had brought the trouble all on 
himself because of his envy and spite. 

“Being a king isn’t all lettuce and carrots,” 
sighed Bumper. “I’m not sure but I’d rather 
be just Fuzzy Wuzz, who smiles and laughs all 
day, or even Goggle Eyes, who eats altogether 
too much for himself, but seems to enjoy it.” 

“ Then there’s so much a king has to know,” 
he added a moment later. “ I’m learning all the 
time new things, but what I don’t know yet 
frightens me. I wish sometimes I could take a 
vacation, and just go off and forget everything. 
I wonder why kings don’t have vacations.” 

Such a thing as a vacation for a king was un- 
heard of, although all of the rest could take any 
day they chose. Bumper couldn’t even steal out 
72 


Rusty Warns Bumper 


73 


of the burrow alone for a little run without some- 
body going with him. The king had to be 
watched and accompanied all the time. 

Now Old Blind Rabbit, in proclaiming 
Bumper the White Rabbit king, had thought 
first of only his own family, for he had no con- 
trol over the other burrows; but he was so well 
known for his wisdom and age that the leaders 
of other burrows would listen to his words. He 
had wanted to keep Bumper’s coming a secret 
until he was sure that he had made no mistake 
in choosing him. 

But now he thought was a good time to take 
him around to his friends — Brindley the Lame, 
Pink Nose, Roily Polly and Crooked Ears. He 
wanted them to meet Bumper and judge for 
themselves. As leaders of their families, they 
knew the prophecy of the coming of a white 
rabbit, who some day would rule over all their 
people and redeem them from their weak ways. 

“Bumper, my days are numbered, but yours 
are as many as the trees in the woods,” he said 
to the White Rabbit. “ Before I go I want to 
see you accepted as king by Pink Nose, Roily 
Polly, Crooked Ears, Brindley the Lame and 
White Tail. Then I can die in peace.” 

Bumper nodded his head, and asked who all 
these important people were. 


74 


Rusty Warns Bumper 


“ They are leaders of big families here in the 
woods, and very influential. If they accept you 
all the other rabbits will follow.’^ 

“And if they don’t?” 

“ Then I fear there will he trouble. You can- 
not rule over a divided people and make them 
happy.” 

This bit of wisdom could not be disputed, and 
Bumper added sadly: “Neither can the ruler be 
happy.” 

“ Well said, Bumper, But the time has come 
now when we must call on them. I shall take 
you in person, and explain to White Tail and 
the others the meaning of our call.” 

This idea rather frightened Bumper. To meet 
so many important leaders, and carry himself as 
a king should, made him feel like quitting. Just 
for an instant he thought of the red-headed girl 
and her wonderful garden, and wished he was 
back with her. How delightful it would be to do 
nothing all day long but eat and receive her pet- 
ting! He even thought he might be happier 
with the old woman back in the city. 

But only for an instant did his thoughts thus 
play truant. He was a king now, with duties to 
perform, and he wasn’t going to prove unequal 
to them. Bumper had very fine qualities, which, 
after all, fitted him for a ruler more than his 


Rusty Warns Bumper 


75 


pink eyes and white fur. Goodness and wisdom 
were better than fine clothes. 

Bumper had been learning rapidly the ways 
of his people in the woods, and he was quite 
familiar with many things that had before 
startled him. He had learned to know the dif- 
ference between the good and bad plants, so 
there was no longer any danger of his poisoning 
himself. He had met Washer the Raccoon, and 
had made the acquaintance of Sleepy the Opos- 
sum. He was on good speaking terms with Mr. 
Beaver, and Billy the Mink had put himself out 
to compare his fur with his own beautiful coat. 

He knew every trail in the woods, and could 
scent Mr. Fox from afar. He had even learned 
to swim, which he considered necessary for his 
health. The birds were his friends, and he had 
learned much from them. Frequently they 
brought him news which guided him in his work. 

A few days after the Old Blind Rabbit had 
announced his intention of introducing Bumper 
to White Tail and the others. Rusty the Black 
Bird appeared near the burrow, and perched 
himself on the top of the rock until the white 
rabbit appeared. 

‘‘Hello, Bumper! ” he called. 

“Good-morning, Rusty!” replied Bumper. 
“ It’s a long time since I’ve seen you.” 


76 


Rusty Warns Bumper 


“ If you’d arrange to see me oftener,” was the 
retort, “ you wouldn’t get in so much trouble.” 

“ Thank you, Rusty, but I didn’t know I was 
in trouble.” 

“ Huh I ” whistled Rusty. “ Some people don’t 
know when they are in trouble.” 

“Then it shouldn’t bother them,” laughed 
Bumper. “If you don’t know you have any 
trouble, why worry?” 

“ That may be good enough for a king, but it 
would never do for common people. We must 
be hunting for trouble all the time to avoid it.” 

“If you hunt for it you’ll generally find it. 
No, I don’t believe in looking for what you don’t 
want.” 

Rusty was a little provoked at what he took 
as a personal rebuke, and was half inclined to 
fly away; but Bumper’s smile changed his mind. 

“Just to show you that trouble comes whether 
you hunt for it or not, I’m going to tell you some- 
thing,” he added. “ You’re going to be in a peck 
of trouble soon. Bumper.” 

“ That’s much better than being in a bushel, 
isn’t it?” he laughed. 

“Oh, stop your joking, and be serious. This 
is a serious matter for you.” 

“ AU right, I’m listening.” 

“ Well, then. Spotted Tail has been spreading 


Rusty Warns Bumper 


77 


false rumors about you. He asked me to carry 
the message, but I refused, and he asked Mr. 
W^oodpecker and Towhee the Chewink. They 
told me so. But they wouldn’t listen to him.” 

“ I’m very grateful for that, and you can tell 
Towhee and Mr. Woodpecker so. But if nobody 
carried the news how did it get abroad?” 

‘‘Mr. Shrike the Butcher Bird carried it just 
because we wouldn’t. And after telling all the 
rabbits he told the news to Mr. Fox and Buster 
the Bear.” 

“What is the news he told?” asked Bumper, 
gravely. 

In a few words Rusty told him, and when he 
was through Bumper was graver than before. 
It pained him to think that Spotted Tail would 
betray him, and it made him sad to believe that 
his words could stir up discord among the rab- 
bits. 

“Thank you, Rusty,” he said in conclusion. 
“I’m glad to know it. Forewarned is fore- 
armed.” 

“Oh! Ho!” laughed Rusty. “Now you be- 
gin to change your mind about trouble. But 
you don’t have to hunt for it. It’s coming soon. 
It’s here now I” 


STORY XI 


THE BABBITS BISE AGAINST BUMPER 

Forewarned by Rusty, Bumper was partly 
prepared for the trouble that was brewing, but 
not so Old Blind Rabbit. Bumper had intended 
to tell him the truth, but he didn’t want to raise 
unnecessary alarm. Perhaps, after all. Rusty 
had exaggerated the danger, and nothing would 
come of Spotted Tail’s work. 

So one morning he was greatly disturbed when 
there was a noise outside the burrow made by the 
pattering of many little feet. It was Goggle 
Eyes who brought the information in to Old 
Blind Rabbit. 

“There is something in the wind. Old Blind 
Rabbit! ” he exclaimed in excitement. “All the 
rabbits of the woods have come to visit us. 
There’s White Tail, with his huge family; Pink 
Nose and all his big sons; Crooked Ears, look- 
ing surly and angry; Brindley the Lame, Roily 
Polly, and — oh! — ^many, many more!” 

Old Blind Rabbit did not get excited. It was 
the way with him. Instead of always looking for 
trouble, he expected the best of everything. 

78 


The Rabbits Rise Against Bumper 79 


“Perhaps it means,” he replied, after a mo- 
ment’s thought, “that they have heard of 
Bumper’s coming, and they have come to meet 
him. I shall go out and see them. They’re all 
welcome.” 

“ They don’t look very friendly,” stammered 
Croggle Eyes. “ They look and act positively 
rude. I don’t believe their coming is for any 
good.” 

“Tut! Tut! You’re always looking for the 
worst. Goggle Eyes. Now I’ll go out and greet 
my brother leaders. Lend me a paw. Goggle 
Eyes.” 

“No,” interrupted Bumper, who had heard 
the conversation. “You must let me go out 
first. I’ll speak to them, and if there’s trouble — ” 

“Spoken like a king. Bumper,” interrupted 
Old Blind Rabbit, “but I should meet White 
Tail and his friends first. They know me.” 

“Listen!” added Bumper. “I have not told 
you before because I didn’t believe anything 
would come of it. But there may be trouble out- 
side.” 

“What trouble. Bumper? You mustn’t fol- 
low the ways of Goggle Eyes, and look for evil in 
everything.” 

Bumper knew that he ought to tell, and 
straightway, without hesitation, he related all 


80 The Rabbits Rise Against Bumper 


that Rusty had told him. Old Blind Rabbit 
listened in silence, but not without smprise and 
trembling. 

“Where is Spotted Tail?” he asked in a voice 
of thunder when Bumper had finished. 

Spotted Tail was nowhere around. Nobody 
knew where he was. 

“ He has betrayed us! ” added Old Blind Rab- 
bit, solemnly. “ He has spread false news to our 
friends, and used Shrike the Butcher Bird as his 
messenger. Alack 1 And alas ! that I should live 
to see this day!” 

For a moment Old Blind Rabbit dropped back 
on his haunches and looked very sad and de- 
pressed. His age told on him, and his breath 
came slow and hard. Finally arousing himself, 
he continued: 

“ If Spotted Tail has stirred up a revolt, the 
truth must be told. I will see the leaders. They 
will listen to me.” 

“No, let me go!” interrupted Bumper again. 
“If there’s any danger on my account, I must 
face it, and not you. Old Blind Rabbit.” 

“ They will not harm me, but in their passion 
they might do something to you. Bumper. It is 
the part of wisdom that I should see them first. 
Isn’t it so?” 

All the others agreed to this, and much against 


The Rabbits Rise Against Bumper 81 


his will Bumper stayed in the burrow, while Old 
Blind Rabbit was led outside by Gk)ggle Eyes. 

And what a sight it was outside the burrow! 
All the wild rabbits of the woods were assembled 
there. White Tail, Pink Nose, Crooked Ears, 
Brindley the Lame, Roily Polly and a lot of 
other leaders were there with all their followers. 
The woods around the rock were literally alive 
with rabbits. 

They were packed ten deep around the big 
rock, and scattered in groups all through the sur- 
rounding bushes. And on every face there was 
an angry, defiant look, and in every eye sullen 
discontent. Old Blind Rabbit could not see all 
these sights, but he sensed them before any one 
spoke. Then a babel of sounds greeted his ears. 
They were so many, and so confusing, that no- 
body could understand anybody else. 

Finally Old Blind Rabbit reared himself on 
his haunches, and raised a paw for silence. “ Lis- 
ten,” he called. “ There’s no sense in jabbering 
like silly babies. What is the trouble? Don’t all 
speak at once, but — ” 

“Where’s Bumper the White Rabbit!” they 
shouted back in unison. 

Once more the senseless chatter made the air 
ring until Brindley the Lame took a tree stump 
and signalled for silence. “This isn’t a tea 


82 The Rabbits Rise Against Bumper 


party,” he said, smiling, ‘‘ and we shouldn’t waste 
time talking like a lot of magpies. Let some of 
the leaders speak for all.” 

There was instant silence, and hundreds of 
heads were nodded. Brindley then continued: 

“As for my part, I’m not sure but we’re all 
here on a fool’s errand. I never knew the Shrike 
to carry news that did any one good. However, 
we’re here, and a big crowd we are. We’ve 
brought all of our families with us, big and little, 
and I’m glad to see them — Mrs. White Tail with 
her children, and Mrs. Pink Nose — ” 

Brindley’s jollying pleased the younger rab- 
bits, and they began to laugh and applaud; but 
not so the leaders. Crooked Ears rose up, and 
interrupted. 

“ Come to the point, Brindley! We’re here to 
drive Bumper the White Rabbit from the woods. 
That’s the long and short of it. Am I not 
right?” 

A terrifying shout greeted these words, and 
for a moment it seemed as if bedlam had brol|en 
loose. Even Old Blind Rabbit was frightened, 
and he trembled so that Goggle Eyes was afraid 
he would fall down. 

“ What has Bumper done that you should want 
to drive him from the woods? ” was all that Old 
Blind Rabbit could say. 


The Rabbits Rise Against Buinper 83 


** It’s not what he’s done,” roared White Tail, 
leaping to the top of a fallen tree. “ It’s what 
he’s going to do. lie’ll not be king of the 
woods ! ” 

“NO! No!” shouted a hundred voices. 
“We’ll not be his slaves! We’ll not follow him! ” 
“Listen, friends!” Old Blind Rabbit called 
back. “You have been deceived. Spotted Tail 
has spread false rumors. He knew they were 
false, and he couldn’t get Rusty or Mr. Wood- 
pecker or Towhee or any of the birds, who were 
his friends, to carry the message to you. Then 
when they all failed him he appealed to Shrike 
the Butcher Bird.” ' 

He paused, and looked with his sightless eyes 
over the big assemble. Then, raising his voice, 
he continued: “ Since when have you come to be- 
lieve what Shrike tells ! When has he ever spread 
anything but lies in the woods? He has no 
friends among the birds — ” 

Suddenly there was a commotion on the out- 
skirts of the crowd. Shrike flew in their midst 
and whistled sharply. Then out of the bushes 
crashed Buster the Bear, followed by Mr. Fox. 
Screams and shouts went up from all sides as 
every rabbit scurried for cover. They ran pell- 
mell hither and thither, with Mr. Fox and Buster 


84 Tlie Rabbits Rise Against Bumper 


after them, laughing in their glee at the fright 
they had caused. 

It was a miracle that some were not killed, for 
it hardly seemed there were enough hiding-places 
in the woods to conceal them. Old Blind Rabbit 
stumbled back in his burrow, and invited as many 
to follow him as the place would hold. 


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Mr. Fox and Buster the Bear were more interested in 


FRIGHTENING THEM THAN IN KILLING 



STORY XII 


SPOTTED TAIL EECEIVES HIS PUNISHMENT 

Yes, it was certainly a miracle that there 
wasn’t a great slaughter of rabbits in the woods 
when Buster and Mr. Fox broke up the huge 
assemble! To this day they marvel at it. The 
only explanation the leaders could give was that 
Mr. Fox and Buster the Bear were more inter- 
ested in frightening them than in killing. So 
they bowled over as many as they could, and 
didn’t stop to bite any of them. 

What a crowded house Old Blind Rabbit had, 
though! Every rabbit who could squeeze 
through the doorway had followed him in the 
burrow. It was the most mixed audience ever 
gathered in one burrow. 

There were followers of Pink Nose huddling 
alongside of Roily Polly’s family, and Brindley 
the Lame was crowded next to White Tail. 
They were packed in so tight that it was difficult 
for any one to move. 

Bumper was crowded way in back alongside 
Fuzzy Wuzz. Not understanding the great 
noise. Bumper had at first stood by the entrance 
85 


86 Spotted Tail Receives His Punishment 


to fight back any intruders that followed Old 
Blind Rabbit. He thought they were crowding 
in the burrow to get him. 

But (ioggle Eyes and Fuzzy Wuzz under- 
stood his mistake, and they took him by the paws 
and forced him to the back part of the burrow. 
“It’s Mr. Fox and Buster the Bear!” cried 
Fuzzy Wuzz in his ears. 

Bumper understood immediately, and his 
wrath turned to kindness. He helped to make 
room for all the strangers that came pell-mell in 
the burrow. The excitement didn’t quiet down 
at once. Shivering with terror at their narrow 
escape, every one squealed, and tried to talk at 
once. 

There was danger of the little ones being 
trampled upon and hurt until the leaders began 
to get their senses back. “Stop crowding!” 
shouted White Tail. “ We’re safe in here ! Now 
every one keep quiet while we thinks ’ 

It was so quiet that one could almost hear 
their thoughts, but they were so confused that it 
wouldn’t have done much good. No one could 
have made head or tail out of them. It was Old 
Blind Rabbit who first got over his scare, and 
came to his senses. 

“How many are here?” he asked, turning to 
the others for an answer to his question. 


Spotted Tail Receives His Punishment 87 


“So many we can’t count them,” replied 
Goggle Eyes. “ My, I was never in sudi a crowd 
before in all my life!” 

“Is White Tail here?” continued Old Blind 
Rabbit. 

“Yes, I squeezed in at the last minute, and 
lost a handful of fur in doing it.” 

“And Pink Nose?” 

“ Here I ” came the answer from a comer. 

“And Brindley the Lame?” ccaitinued Old 
Blind Rabbit, as if calling the roll of idl his 
friends. 

“Here!” 

“Roily PoDy?” 

“Here!” 

“Crooked Ears?” 

“Here!” 

Old Blind Rabbit stopped for a mcment. 

“Now, as there is no danger of further inter- 
ruption by Mr. Fox or Buster,” he added jSnally, 
“ we might proceed with our business. We were 
talking about Shrike the Butcher Bird when we 
were interrupted. I asked you then when had 
Shrike carried other than lies and evil news.” 

“ Never ! ” shouted some one, and others started 
up with various cries. “He deceived us! He 
summoned Mr. Fox and Buster the Bear to kill 
usl I shall never believe him again!” 


88 Spotted Tail Receives His Punishment 


A faint smile spread over Old Blind Rabbit’s 
face. 

“ Then, if that’s true,” he continued, “ how can 
you believe the rumors he spread in the woods 
about Bumper the White Rabbit? Were they 
not lies too?” 

This question caused a sudden sensation. No 
one had quite thought of this. If Shrike had be- 
trayed them to Mr. Fox and Buster, why could 
it not be true that the whole story was part of 
a trick made up by him? 

“But Spotted Tail sent the news by him,” 
said White Tail suddenly. 

“ Shrike said so, but did you see Spotted Tail 
himself?” asked Old Blind Rabbit. 

“Why, no, I didn’t see him,” replied White 
Tail. 

“ Nor II Nor I ! ” spoke up Pink Nose, Roily 
Polly, and all the others in turn. 

“ Then,” resumed Old Blind Rabbit, “how do 
we know that the whole story wasn’t invented by 
Shrike to stir up trouble?” 

“ That’s so,” laughed Brindley. “ I never 
thought of that. But where’s Spotted Tail? Let 
him speak for himself.” 

This was just the thing that Spotted Tail, 
crouching and trembling in a comer, dreaded the 
most. He was so shaken and horrified by the 


spotted Tail Receives His Punishment 89 


result of his treachery that he had to be pushed 
forward when they called him. 

“Tell us the truth, Spotted Tail,” said Old 
Blind Rabbit severely. “You’re on trial now.” 

There is some good even in the worst of us, and 
although Spotted Tail had done many wicked 
things, he still possessed a sense of honor. He 
could have lied out of it, and declared his inno- 
cence, for no one had direct evidence that he had 
started the wicked stories, except the birds. Yes, 
he could easily have cleared his skirts by declar- 
ing that Shrike had made up the whole story, and 
that he knew nothing of it. 

But he was frightened and repentant. He was 
no longer defiant. He looked so humiliated that 
some of the gentler rabbits pitied him. 

“ I’ll tell the truth,” he stammered finally. “ I 
did start the story, and ask Shrike to spread it. 
I was jealous of Bumper, and wanted to have 
him driven from the woods. I am sorry now, but 
that won’t help what’s happened.” 

“No,” replied Old Blind Rabbit severely, 
“after the milk is spilt it does no good to cry 
over it. You betrayed your own people, and 
nearly caused the death of many of them. Now 
what punishment do you think you deserve? ” 

Spotted Tail hung his head in fear and hu- 
miliation. 


90 Spotted Tail Receives His Punishment 


“There is only one punishment to suit the 
case,” Old Blind Rabbit said after a pause, “ and 
that is to be banished from the woods. Never 
again can you speak to any of your people, nor 
shall they speak to you. Go, Spotted Tail, go, 
and never return! Is that not a just punish- 
ment?” 

“Yes! Yes!” cried many, and the leaders of 
the burrows shook their heads in assent. 

But before he could retire from the burrow 
in shame and disgrace. Bumper hopped from his 
corner, and faced the assembly. 

“One minute. Old Blind Rabbit,” he said. 
“ Let me speak a word for Spotted Tail, His 
sinning was against me most, and I should be 
heard. He is repentant now, and we should 
give him another chance. I ask you to take back 
that sentence.” 

Old Blind Rabbit looked hard and severe, as 
he shook his head. “ Sentence has been passed,” 
he said sternly, “ and justice demands that 
Spotted Tail be banished from the woods.” 

“ But justice tempered with mercy is what I’m 
asking for,” replied Bumper. 

Again Old Blind Rabbit shook his head, and 
White Tail, Crooked Ears and the others agreed 
with him. 

“ Then,” resumed Bumper sadly, “ I shall go 


Spotted Tail Receives His Pimisiiment 91 


with him. If you banish Spotted Tail from the 
woods you banish me too.” 

The consternation that followed this remark 
was so great you could have heard a pin drop. 
Every one was looking at the white rabbit, and, as 
if fascinated by his pink eyes and white fur, they 
remained mute and awed. Finally Old Blind 
Rabbit, seeing his opportunity, said: “What the 
king says must be obeyed!” 

“Yes, what the king says must be obeyed!” 
cried many as if they were hypnotized, and even 
White Tail and the other leaders offered no op- 
position. 

“ Long live Bumper the White Rabbit as our 
king!” quavered Old Blind Rabbit, his voice 
cracking. 

And every one took up the cry. “ Long live 
Bumper the White Rabbit as our king! ” 


STORY XIII 


BUMPER WINS SPOTTED TAIL’s FRIENDSHIP 

So Bumper became king of all the rabbits in 
the woods, and all his people vowed they would 
stand loyally by him, and the big leaders — ^White 
Tail, Pink Nose, Crooked Ears, Brindley the 
Lame and Roily Polly — promised to obey him, 
and teach their children and their children’s chil- 
dren to love and follow him. 

“ A king who is merciful to those who hurt him 
is a good and wise king,” said White Tail, as he 
came forward to pay homage. 

“ Wisdom is greater than courage,” said Brind- 
ley, “ but greater than either is mercy.” 

I believed pink noses were the signs of roy- 
alty in rabbits,” remarked Pink Nose, when his 
turn came next, “but pink eyes are more to be 
desired, and I shall teach my children the truth 
of this.” 

“ Surely,” said Roily Polly, his eyes twinkling, 
“this is a great day for the rabbits of the North 
Woods, and anything I can say will never be re- 
membered. But I hope my next dinner will dis- 
92 


Bumper wins Spotted Tail’s Fri^dship 93 


agi’ee with me if I ever speak an ill word of our 
king.” 

Brindley was smiling and chuckling too, when 
he walked up. The sudden happy turn of affairs 
was much to his liking. “ O Bumper, our white 
king! ” he exclaimed. “ The winter’s snow is not 
whiter than your coat, and your soul is whiter 
than either. May neither ever fade or grow tar- 
nished in the use.” 

Crooked Ears, who had come to the assembly 
with a grouch, which he intended to vent upon 
Bumper, stood hesitating a moment before he 
bowed and took the king’s paw. Then he looked 
up and smiled. “Ears, O Bumper, are given 
to hear, and whether they are crooked or straight 
they should gather in the truth and not the lies. 
Mine have heard the truth to-day, and may they 
grow more crooked if they ever listen to the un- 
truth again.” 

Now, when the leaders had finished swearing 
their allegiance to Bumper, the others crowded 
forward, and for half an hour poor Bumper had 
a hard time of it. They wanted to shake his 
paw and feel of his soft fur, and gaze into his 
pink eyes, until it seemed as if their curiosity 
would never be satisfied. And Bumper was in 
more danger of being spoilt by flattery than 
ever before in his life! From a secret comer 


94 Bumper wins Spotted Tail’s Friend$hip 


Fuzzy Wuzz watched him through her mild 
brown eyes, and at times she frowned. If her 
eyes could have spoken they would have said 
something like this: “Can he stand all that flat- 
tery and admiration? I’m afraid for him.” 

But Bumper did stand it, for when the visitors 
began to leave, one by one, and the burrow be- 
came emptied once more, he drew a heavy sigh 
of relief. He turned to Fuzzy Wuzz, who was 
still watching him, and said: 

“ It’s been an exciting day. Fuzzy Wuzz, 
hasn’t it? And I for one am glad it’s over, but 
gladder because all’s ended well. There’ll be no 
more trouble in the woods among our own 
people.” 

Not a word about the remarkable tribute to his 
looks and wisdom, or anything about the high 
position they had placed him in. He was still 
plain Bumper when with his own family. 

“ O Bumper,” exclaimed Fuzzy Wuzz, “ I was 
so afraid — afraid — ” 

“ Afraidl Afraid of what. Fuzzy Wuzz?” he 
asked in surprise when she stopped. 

Instead of answering directly, she laughed, and 
said: 

“ Oh, nothing! I meant I’m so happy 1 ” 

“ Then I am too. Whatever makes you happy 
I like.” 


Bumper wins Spotted Tail’s Friendship 95 


But while he smiled into her meek brown eyes, 
he happened to catch a glimpse of Spotted Tail 
crouching in a corner, looking so miserable and 
forlorn that his heart smote him. 

He left Fuzzy Wuzz, and hopped directly over 
to him. ‘‘ Spotted Tail,” he said, “ will you be 
my friend?” 

A look of surprise and wonder came into the 
sad eyes of the other, and for a moment he could 
not understand just what Bumper was asking. 

‘‘ I don’t understand,” he stammered in con- 
fusion. “ Oh, you mean will I promise never to 
betray you again? Yes, yes, I promise that. 
Bumper — ^promise never to speak ill of you 
again.” 

‘‘I didn’t paean that,” replied Bumper. “I 
asked if you would be my friend. You know 
what friendship means? — ^trust, faith, loyalty, 
and all that?” 

“Yes, I trust you,” stammered Spotted Tail. 
“How could it be otherwise after what you’ve 
done for me? And faith, yes, I have faith in 
you. I believe you’re a just and upright leader. 
As for loyalty. Bumper, you can ask for my life, 
and I’ll give it to you.” 

Bumper smiled happily at these declarations 
of friendship, but still Spotted Tail hadn’t quite 
understood his meaning. How to make him be- 


96 Bumper wins Spotted Tail’s Frienddiip 


lieve that he forgave everything, and wanted to 
be his friend, troubled him. 

“ Come with me. Spotted Tail,” he said finally, 
extending a paw. “ I want every one to see that 
we have forgiven and forgotten, and that we’re 
friends now.” 

Then, to Spotted Tail’s surprise. Bumper led 
him up to Fuzzy Wuzz, and said: “ Spotted Tail 
and I have made up all of our differences, and 
are going to be fast friends hereafter. Congrat- 
ulate both of us. Fuzzy Wuzz.” 

Fuzzy Wuzz was as wise and quick as she was 
good. She understood immediately, and, extend- 
ing a paw, grasped one of Spotted Tail’s. “ Let 
the past be as if it never were, Spotted Tail,” she 
said sweetly. “ Bumper’s friends are my friends, 
and that makes us friends, doesn’t it?” 

Spotted Tail nodded in embarrassment. He 
was so stupefied with surprise that he hardly 
knew what to say. Then to Goggle Eyes and 
the others. Bumper took him in turn, and gave 
them to understand that anything they said 
against Spotted Tail they would be saying 
against him. 

The Old Blind Rabbit was the last one they 
came to. Bumper repeated his words, but re- 
mained a little imcertain just how the stem old 
leader would accept the change. Old Blind Rab- 


Bumper wins Spotted Tail’s Friendship 97 


bit had a stem sense of justice, and this sudden 
forgiveness of Spotted Tail might not suit him. 
But finally a kindly smile spread over his face, 
and he laid a paw on the breast of each. 

“I have lived to see justice interpreted, O 
Bumper,” he said. “ There wiU be joy in all the 
North Woods now that we have a king who is as 
merciful as he is wise and just. May Spotted 
Tail learn wisdom from you. The past is for- 
gotten. We live now only for the future.” 

And when they had retired to a corner from 
the rest, Spotted Tail found his voice. It was 
low and husky. 

“ O Bumper, you have heaped coals of fire on 
my head!” he exclaimed. “You have made me 
ashamed of myself. I wronged you because I 
was envious and jealous of your power. I told 
Shrike to spread the news that you were a king 
come to make all the rabbits in the North Woods 
your slaves. Now they’re all your friends. But 
you have one slave. I, Bumper, am your slave. 
Ask anything of me, and I will do it.” 

“ Then I ask one thing. Spotted Tail,” was the 
reply, “ and you’ve promised to grant it.” 

“ Yes, I have promised, not knowing what it 
is.” 

“ It is very simple. Spotted Tail. Never let 
me hear you call yourself my slave again. In- 


98 Bumper wins Spotted Tail’s Friendship 


stead, speak of me as your friend, and if you wish 
to gain my favors call yourself my friend. Is 
that too much to promise? ” 

“ It’s not enough, O Bumper, But as you say. 
I’m your friend — now and forevermore. You 
believe me?” 

“ Yes, I know you speak the truth.” 


STORY XIV 


SPOTTED TAIL PROVES HIS LOYALTY 

Old Blind Rabbit was so pleased with the 
result of the revolt, and especially with Bumper’s 
forgiveness of Spotted Tail, that he immediately 
proclaimed a great feast to celebrate it. All the 
younger rabbits were sent forth in the woods to 
gather food for the banquet, and they came back 
laden with the most delicious roots and succulent 
leaves until their mouths watered. The burrow 
was piled high with them, as if it was being 
stocked against a ten-day siege by Mr. Fox and 
Buster the Bear. 

“ Now we will eat and be merry,” Old Blind 
Rabbit said when they were all gathered around 
the festive board. ‘‘ May no more trouble come 
to my family or to any of the other rabbits of 
the woods!” 

Bumper was called upon to make a speech, 
which he did, and Spotted Tail led the others in 
clapping his paws at the conclusion. While 
the excitement was running high, Old Blind Rab- 
bit whispered in Bumper’s ear; 

99 


100 Spotted Tail Proves His Loyalty 


When you make a friend of your enemy, you 
have made a friend indeed. Watch Spotted 
Tail’s enthusiasm.” 

Bumper had already been watching him, and 
a little glow of pleasure was in his heart. Even 
greater than being made king, he thought, was 
the winning of Spotted Tail’s loyalty. 

“All’s well that ends well,” he murmured. 

Of course. Rusty the Blackbird might have 
doubted the genuineness of Spotted Tail’s friend- 
ship, and so would have Shrike the Butcher Bird, 
but that was because they didn’t understand the 
nature and habits of the rabbits as Bumper and 
Old Blind Rabbit did. They knew that Spotted 
Tail had changed, and all the envy and hatred 
had left his heart. 

As if to prove this, something happened in 
the woods a few days later, which dispelled any 
doubts that either may have had. Bumper and 
Spotted Tail had gone off together in the thick- 
est part of the woods when they came to an old 
gravel pit. 

This was a deep hole in the ground which had 
nearly been covered up with thick weeds and 
briers. Bumper and Spotted Tail had been hop- 
ping along without thought of danger. Around 
and over the gravel pit a thick clump of bushes 
was growing. 


Spotted Tail Proves His Loyalty 101 


“ I think I can take that clump with a big hop,” 
Bumper remarked, preparing for a spring. 

Spotted Tail glanced up to follow, and then 
shouted in alarm: “Don’t do it, Bumper! The 
gravel pit!” 

Spotted Tail had recognized the danger if 
Bumper should fall short of his jump, but his 
warning was too late. Bumper had sprung into 
the air, and, just as Spotted Tail had feared, 
the tops of the bushes interfered with his leap. 
Instead of clearing the place. Bumper fell plump 
through the mass of weeds into the deep pit. 

Down, down he went, scratching his face and 
body as he fell. Instead of landing on all four 
feet as he expected to do, he dropped heavily on 
one foot and wrenched his leg. 

Spotted Tail heard his groans with alarm. 
What had happened to Bumper! He called 
aloud, and received only groans in reply. 

Now perhaps it would have been wiser for 
Spotted Tail to have run back to the burrow, and 
summon help ; but he was so worried over the re- 
sult of the accident that only one thing occurred 
to him. He deliberately leaped into the gravel 
pit after Bumper. This required a good deal of 
courage, for he knew the danger. He recalled 
stories of how more than one rabbit in the past 


102 Spotted Tail Proves His Loyalty 


had been caught in this natural trap and held 
there for days and weeks until nearly fam- 
ished. 

When he landed by the side of Bumper at the 
bottom of the pit, he found the king huddled up 
in a heap, groaning with pain. 

“What is it. Bumper?” he asked anxiously. 

“I’ve broken my leg or sprained it,” was the 
reply. “And it pains so that even a king can- 
not help moaning.” 

“ Let me see it,” replied Spotted Tail. 

For a long time Spotted Tail rubbed it, and 
tried to ease the pain. After a while it grew 
better, but it was still too lame for Bumper to 
stand much weight on it. 

“How am I ever going to get out of this 
hole? ” he asked, looking up. “ I can’t jump out 
of it with this sprained leg.” 

“No,” replied Spotted Tail. “No rabbit has 
ever yet been able to hop out of the gravel pit. 
I’m afraid we’re trapped here until the others 
find us.” 

“Is it so bad as that?” 

“Yes, and worse.” 

Then Spotted Tail told him the stories of the 
gravel pit, and of the many times young rabbits 
had been caught there. 

“It should have been filled in, then, before 


Spotted Tail Proves His Loyalty 103. 


this,” said Bumper. ‘‘ When I get home I’ll give 
orders to have it filled up.” 

‘‘That would be a good idea. But the im- 
portant question now is, How are you going to 
get out? ” 

“How are you going to get out?” asked 
Bumper, smiling. 

“That doesn’t matter so much if I can get 
you out.” 

“ You couldn’t jump to the top? ” 

“ No, no rabbit could — ^not even you, Bumper.” 

“And if we stay here we’ll starve?” 

“ Unless Mr. Fox happens to discover us, and 
eats us up. He’s big enough to scramble down 
here and out again.” 

“ It’s a pretty serious position we’re in, then,” 
mused Bumper. 

“I have it!” Spotted Tail exclaimed sud- 
denly. “ See that bush fallen in the hole. The 
wind must have blown it in here. Now, I’ll 
climb on it, and then you climb on my back. I 
think by standing on my shoulders then you’ll 
be able to reach tihe top and scramble out.” 

“ But you ? How’ll you get out ? ” 

“ Oh, I’ll manage it some way.” 

This seemed like good advice, and Spotted 
Tail made his way cautiously to the highest part 
of the bush. Then Bumper followed him. Then 


104 « Spotted Tail Proves His Loyalty 


he climbed up on Spotted Tail’s back, and stood 
on his shoulders. 

“Now get ready when I raise myself up on 
my hind legs!” cautioned Spotted Tail. “You 
must jump and scramble up before the bush 
gives way.” 

It was quite an acrobatic feat, but they bal- 
anced themselves skilfully until both stood up- 
right on their haunches. “ I can’t reach it ! ” ex- 
claimed Bumper. “ It’s a foot above my head! ” 

“Jump, then!” exclaimed Spotted Tail. 
“The bush is sagging down! Quick, Bumper, 
jump!” 

And Bumper jumped, and scrambled up out 
of the pit. It was hard work with his sprained 
leg, but he reached the top. But Spotted Tail 
had fallen back to the bottom, and the bush after 
him. There was no way he could get out. 

“I’ll run back to the burrow and get help!” 
Bumper said finally. “ We’ll get you out some- 
how.” 

But the only way they could get Spotted Tail 
out was to fill in the sand pit. Bumper hit on 
this idea after they had tried every other method. 
By filling it in Spotted Tail could gradually 
crawl up higher and higher until he hopped out. 

And Bumper’s method of filling it in was very 
simple. All the rabbits turned their faces away 


Spotted Tail Proves His Loyalty 105 


from the sand pit and began digging hard with 
their hind legs, throwing the dirt and gravel in 
the pit until it was nearly on a level with the 
ground. So the dangerous sand pit was no longer 
a trap for the rabbits. 


STORY XV 


BUMPER MAKES FUZZY WUZZ QUEEN 

A KING can’t really be happy without a queen. 
There was never a king yet that didn’t have one, 
or, if he lived alone and refused to take a queen, 
he was faithless to his people. If you want to 
find a grouchy king, look through history for one 
that never had a queen to advise and soothe him. 

Bumper wasn’t thinking so much of doing a 
great honor to Fuzzy Wuzz in asking her to be 
his queen as he was of making himself happy. 
Fuzzy Wuzz had become very dear to him. She 
seemed to understand him, and they were both 
happy when they were together. 

So one day, when he asked her to be his queen, 
and help him to preside over his people, she mod- 
estly consented. She thought as much of 
Bumper as he did of her. They made an ideal 
couple. But a king can’t marry without the con- 
sent of his people, and Bumper took up the ques- 
tion with Old Blind Rabbit first. He was very 
modest and uncertain about it, and you can 
imagine his nervousness. 

106 


Bumper Makes Fuzzy Wuzz Que^ 107 


“ A king can marry. Old Blind Rabbit, and 
bring a queen home with him to reign by his side, 
can’t he ? ” he began. 

Old Blind Rabbit showed a little surprise at 
this question, and after a while answered: “A 
queen, O Bumper, is generally selected by the 
people. She must be one that they all like.” 

“Isn’t the king consulted?” asked Bumper, 

“ Not always. Of course, sometimes he is, but 
his choice must be the same as that of his people.” 

“It seems to me, then,” remarked Bumper, 
“that a king must have a hard time selecting a 
queen.” 

“He has, O Bumper, and that is one reason 
why a king isn’t always happy. He must think 
of his people first, and of his own happiness 
second.” 

Bumper bowed meekly, and thought once more 
that being a king was not as agreeable as he had 
always thought. 

“And if his queen is not the one the people 
choose,” he added, “ what becomes of her and the 
king?” 

“ They’re often dethroned, O Bumper, driven 
away into exile ! ” There was a threat in the Old 
Blind Rabbit’s voice as he said this. His blind, 
sightless eyes seemed to go through Bumper and 
read his thoughts. 


108 Bumper Makes Fuzzy Wuzz Queen 


“You wish to select a queen?” continued 
Blind Rabbit. 

Bumper said yes, and blushed the color of his 
eyes. 

Old Blind Rabbit looked distressed. “You 
should not have thought of that,” he said severely, 
“without first consulting your people. I have 
already selected a queen for you! ” 

Bumper’s heart dropped. This blunt an- 
nouncement took away all his happiness. Then 
a slow sense of anger and rebellion came into his 
mind. He wasn’t going to submit to any such 
dictation. 

“And I have selected one for myself!” he re- 
plied, stubbornly. 

“ Then you must give her up, O Bumper ! The 
queen the people select must be the one to reign 
with you.” 

Bumper’s stubborn nature immediately came 
to the surface. Rather than give up Fuzzy Wuzz 
and take a queen that Old Blind Rabbit had 
chosen for him, he would abdicate his throne, and 
leave the woods. He said as much to Old Blind 
Rabbit, who was greatly distressed. 

“Think well of your words, O Bumper!” he 
said. “ If you disobey the rules of your people, 
they will banish you, and drive you into exile. 
A king cannot be above his people.” 


Bumper Makes Fuzzy Wuzz Queen 109 


“ I told you that I would banish myself rather 
than submit to this,” was the stubborn reply. “ I 
shall choose my own queen or have none. I must 
live with her, and not you.” 

This outburst of defiance became a king, and 
in a good cause it would have received Old Blind 
Rabbit’s approval; but just now it ran against 
his wishes, and he saw nothing but rebellion in it. 
It was little short of treason. 

Even if you banish yourself,” Blind Rabbit 
added angrily, “ it does not follow you will take 
your queen away with you. She would not fol- 
low you into the woods. She might consent to 
be your queen here, but not your wife in exile.” 

“Leave that to me,” replied Bumper, confi- 
dently. “ I know she will follow me wherever I 
go.” Then, smiling at a new thought, he added: 
“I can take her back to the garden where the 
red-headed girl lives. She would welcome us.” 

“ We may prevent that, O Bumper! We may 
decide to hold you prisoner. No, no, we can’t 
permit such treason. It’s against the laws of 
the woods.” 

Now the argument was waxing strong, and 
both were getting very angry. Perhaps they 
would have parted as enemies if at that very 
moment Fuzzy Wuzz hadn’t entered the burrow. 


110 Btunper Makes Fuzzy Wuzz Queen 


Old Blind Rabbit turned to her, and took one of 
her paws in his. 

“Here is the queen the people have selected 
for you, O Bumper,” he said. “And no other 
will we have.” 

For a moment Bumper stared at the couple in 
surprise. It seemed for a moment as if Old Blind 
Rabbit was playing a joke on him. Then it 
dawned suddenly upon his mind that they had 
each chosen the same one to be queen. He began 
to laugh so loudly and excitedly that Old Blind 
Rabbit felt mortified. Was Bumper making fun 
of Fuzzy Wuzz? 

“ This is very unbecoming to you, O Bumper,’* 
he began, and then Bumper interrupted him. 

“No, no. Blind Rabbit!” he protested. “It 
isn’t that. Don’t you see I’m laughing because 
I’m so happy? We have both been very foolish. 
We got in hot words for nothing. Now forgive 
me, and all will be well.” 

“I don’t understand,” murmured Old Blind 
Rabbit. 

“I don’t blame you,” interrupted Bumper. 
“ But if you had eyes, and could see, you would 
understand. Fuzzy Wuzz is as happy as I am, 
and you could tell it by her eyes.” 

Then solemnly, he added: “ Old Blind Rabbit, 
the queen my people have selected is the one I 


Bumper Makes Fuzzy Wuzz Queen 111 


chose. Fuzzy Wuzz is the one I meant to have, 
or none. Now do you understand? ” 

It really took Old Blind Rabbit some minutes 
to understand it fully, and then a gleam of hap- 
piness swept across his face. ‘‘ O Bumper,” he 
exclaimed with emotion, “your reign will be a 
happy one, and a joy to my people. Long may 
the king live! And long may the queen live with 
him!” 

He was so excited, and his voice was raised 
so high, that all the other rabbits came running 
in the burrow to see what the trouble was, and 
when they learned the news they set up a joyful 
squeal of approval. They would now have a 
queen of their own selection as well as a king. 

This time Rusty the Black Bird, Piney the 
Purple Finch, Mr. Crested Flycatcher, and all 
the other birds of the woods agreed to carry the 
message to the rabbits of the different burrows. 
They flew with swift wings in all directions to 
announce the wedding of Bumper and Fuzzy 
Wuzz, inviting White Tail, Pink Nose, Crooked 
Ears, Brindley the Lame and all the others to 
the feast. 

For days and days the woods rang with happy 
laughter and merry talk. Every one seemed to 
be happy. Even Mr. Fox and Buster the Bear 
were excited, for who could help it when so many 


112 Bumper Makes Fuzzy Wuzz Queen 


others were looking forward to the crowning of 
Fuzzy Wuzz as queen? 

And of their reign in the woods you will hear 
later in other stories, for they lived happily as 
king and queen for a good many years, and they 
had adventures which you might guess were more 
exciting than any you have yet heard. In the 
land of rabbits they speak of time as having be- 
gun in the reign of King Bumper and Queen 
Fuzzy Wuzz, and they had good reason to date 
their calendars from that year, as you will see 
later when you have heard more about them in 
the book entitled 


“Bumper the White Rabbit and His Foes.” 


WASHER THE RACCOON 

STORY ONE 
washer's first adventure 


Washer was the youngest of a family of 
three Raccoons, born in the woods close to 
the shores of Beaver Pond, and not half a mile 
from Rocky Falls where the water, as you 
know, turns into silvery spray that sparkles 
in the sun-shine like diamonds and rubies. 
And, indeed, the animals and birds of the 
North Woods much prefer this glittering 
spray and foam that rise in a steady cloud 
from the bottom of the falls to all the jewels 
and gems ever dug out of the earth! For, 
though each drop sparkles but a moment, and 
then vanishes from sight, there are a million 
others to follow it, and when you bathe in 
them they wash and scour away the dirt, and 
make you clean and fresh in body and soul. 

Washer had his first great adventure at 
Rocky Falls, and it is a wonder that he ever 
lived to tell the tale, for the water which 
flows over the falls is almost as cruel and ter- 
rible as it is sparkling and inviting. But 


The continuation of this interesting story will be found in 
WASHER THE RACCOON 
Price 65 Cents Postpaid 

THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY, Publishers 

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BUSTER THE BIG BROWN 
BEAR 

STORY I 

When Buster Was a Cub 

In the North Woods where Buster was 
born, a wide river tinkles merrily over stones 
that are so white you’d mistake them for snow- 
balls, if you were not careful, and begin pelt- 
ing each other with them. The birches hang- 
ing over the water look like white sticks of 
peppermint candy, except in the spring of the 
year when they blossom out in green leaves, 
and then they make you think of fairyland 
where everything is painted the colors of the 
rainbow. 

The rocks that slope up from the bank of 
the river are dented and broken as if some 
giant in the past had smashed them with his 
hammer, cracking some and punching deep 
holes in others. It was in one of these holes, 
or caves, that Buster was born. 

He didn’t mind the hard rocky floor of his 
bed a bit, nor did he mind the darkness, nor 
the cold winds that swept through the open 
doorway. He was so well protected by his 

The continuation of this interesting story will be found in 
BUSTER THE BIG BROWN BEAR 

Price 65 Cents Postpaid 

THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY, Publishers 

517 S. Wabash Avc. Winston Building 1 29 Spadma Avc. 

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BUSTER THE BIG BROWN 
BEARDS ADVENTURES 

STORY I 

Buster Visits His Birthplace 

Buster’s return to the North Woods, after 
his many travels in different parts of the 
country as a trick bear in a circus, was an im- 
portant event to him. He had been away so 
long — ever since he was a little cub — that 
nothing seemed familiar to him. His recol- 
lection of the river that flowed in front of 
the cave where he had been born was very 
dim and uncertain, and he was not sure which 
way to go when he had crossed it. 

Browny the Woodchuck had informed him 
that he was in the North Woods when he 
waded up on shore, but Browny had an im- 
portant engagement with his family, and im- 
mediately left him. Happy and excited that 
he was now free in the woods, and no longer 
in danger of being pursued and captured, 
Buster for a time was satisfied in roaming 
around in the bushes, eating the wild fruit 
and berries. 

The continuation of this interesting story will be found in 
BUSTER THE BIG BROWN BEAR’S ADVENTURES 

Price 65 Cents Postpaid 

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WHITE TAIL THE DEER 

STORY I 


White Tail’s First Lesson 

High among the timberland of the North 
Woods White Tail the Deer was born, and if 
you had stumbled upon his home in the thick- 
ets you would have been surprised by a noise 
like the rushing of the wind, and then by a 
very remarkable silence that could almost be 
felt. The first was made by Mother White 
Tail as she deserted her young and took to 
quick flight. 

White Tail, crouching low down in the 
bushes, so still that he scarcely moved a hair, 
would hide his beautiful head in the branches 
and leaves like an obedient child. Left alone 
he knew that his one chance of escape was not 
to move or whimper or cry. 

That was the first lesson White Tail was 
taught by his mother — to keep absolutely 
quiet in the presence of danger. When he 
was so small that he could hardly hold up his 
head, she whispered to him: “Listen, White 
Tail! When I give the signal that the hunters 
are coming, you must flatten yourself down 

The continuation of this interesting story will be found in 
WHITE TAIL THE DEER 
Price 65 Gents Postpaid 

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5i7S.Wabasli Avc. Winston Building 129 Spadina Ave. 

CHICAGO, ILL. PHILADELPHIA, PA. TORONTO, ONT. 


WHITE TAIL^S ADVENTURES 


STORY I 

White Tail Jumps Stepping Stone Brook 

White Tail grew rapidly in size and 
strength, his long, clean limbs showing taut 
muscles and great springing power; and his 
neck grew thick and short, which is well for a 
buck, who must use it in savage thrusts when 
the head is a battering ram. His horns were 
short and bony, but they protruded in front 
like knobs against which it would be unpleas- 
ant to fall. 

But his antlers were his pride. They spread 
out fan-shape on his head, crowning it with 
a glory that made Mother Deer supremely 
happy. At times it seemed as if the antlers 
were too heavy for the head and neck, but 
White Tail carried them easily, and when he 
shook them in sport or anger any one could 
see they were just fitted to him. 

In time he stood as high as Father Buck, 
and a head taller than Mother Deer. The 
day the tip of his antlers reached an inch above 
Father Buck’s, he felt a little thrill of pride. 

The continuation of this interesting story will be found in 
WHITE tail the DEER’S ADVENTURES 

Price 65 Gents Postpaid 

THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY, Publishers 

5178. Wabash Avc. Winston Building 129 Spadina Avc. 

CHICAGO, ILL. PHILADELPHIA, PA. TORONTO, ONT. 


BOBBY GRAY SQUIRREL 

Bobby's Introduction 


There are many squirrels living in the 
North Woods, but only one real Bobby 
Gray Squirrel, and if you saw him once you 
would never mistake him for any other. Bobby 
was a gay, rollicking happy-go-lucky fellow, 
who believed in enjoying himself today and 
letting the morrow take care of itself. He 
wasn’t exactly lazy, but he didn’t believe in 
doing work that wasn’t actually necessary, 
and sometimes, I’m afraid, he forgot to do 
what was really necessary. 

Bobby had many friends in the woods, and 
they all liked him and smiled at him, but 
there were some who thought his careless 
ways might get him in trouble some day. So 
instead of chattering pleasantly with him, they 
shook their heads and preached to him. 

“Why don’t you get busy these pleasant 
days, Bobby, and store up food for the 
winter?” Gray Back the Weasel asked re- 
provingly one bright, sunny day. 

The continuation of this interesting story will be found in 
BOBBY GRAY SQUIRREL 

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517 S. Wabash Avc. Winston Building 129 Spadina Ave. 

CHICAGO, nx. PHILADELPHIA, PA. TORONTO, ONT. 


BOBBY GRAY SQUIRREL^S 
ADVENTURES 

STORY I 

An Adventure With Dasher the Hawk 

When Bobby Gray Squirrel left the de- 
serted house where he had spent the winter 
with Stripe the Chipmunk and Web the Fly- 
ing Squirrel, not to mention White Foot the 
Deer Mouse, he was in a very serious mood, 
and his first thought was to go right to work 
to build a home for himself in some friendly 
tree, and stock it early with nuts for winter 
use. 

His experience that winter, before he had 
found his fortune in the bag of nuts in the 
tower room, had made him very thoughtful. 
‘T’m not going to put off work again that 
should be done today,” he said to himself as 
he frisked along from tree to tree. “I can’t 
expect to have such good luck another winter. 
But my!” — smiling in recollection — “those 
nuts were delicious 1” 

He smacked his lips at the thought, and 
right on top of it came the low trill of a bird. 
It was Goldy the Oriole, who had just re- 
turned north. 

The continuation of this interesting story will be found in 
BOBBY GRAY SQUIRREL’S ADVENTURES 

Price 65 Cents Postpaid 

THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY, Publishers 

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CHICAGO, ILL. PHILADELPHIA, PA. TORONTO, ONT. 


BUMPER THE WHITE RABBIT 
AND HIS FOES 

STORY I 

Bumper Plans to Fight His Enemies 

Now in the reign of King Bumper and 
Queen Fuzzy Wuzz many things happened 
in the woods that made exciting times for the 
wild rabbits and their friends. They came to 
pass in the first year of their reign, for Bumper 
the white rabbit was not content to be idle 
when his people were surrounded by so many 
enemies that their lives were never safe. 

Some kings just eat and drink and make 
merry the live long day, and forget all about 
duty; but lots of such kings have lost their 
thrones, and others who have ruled wisely 
have been blessed with many friends, and 
when they died all the people mourned their 
loss. 

Bumper the white rabbit intended to be a 
good and wise ruler, and therefore he spent 
much time in trying to think of ways to help 
his wild cousins of the woods. The story of 
how he escaped from the garden owned by the 

The continuation of this interesting story will be found in 
BUMPER THE WHITE RABBIT AND HIS FOES 

Price 65 Cents Postpaid 

THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY, Publishers 

517 S. Wabash Ave. Winston Buildiag 129 Spadina Ave. 

CHICAGO, ILL. PHILADELPHIA, PA. TORONTO, ONT. 


BUMPER THE WHITE RABBIT 
AND HIS FRIENDS 

STORY I 

Bumper and Sleepy the Opossum 

Bumper, after working hard to trick his 
enemies so they would be more afraid of the 
rabbits in the woods, had decided the ways of 
peace were better than those of war. Not that 
he was going to permit Sneaky the Wolf or 
Loup the Lynx to pounce upon his people and 
eat them up without fighting, but instead of 
going around with a chip on his shoulder, ex- 
pecting and looking for trouble, he intended 
to make friends of all the animals and birds, 
and be helpful to them. 

It is wonderful how much good to others we 
can overlook if we go about with our eyes 
shut. There is plenty to do if we look for it. 
So Bumper found in a short time that he had 
missed a good deal in always looking for the 
worst in others instead of for the best. 

Only a few days after his change of plans, 
which was told of in a former book. Bumper 
stumbled upon Sleepy the Opossum in a tree, 
with his eyes closed in slumber. At first he 

The continuation of this interesting story will be found in 
BUMPER THE WHITE RABBIT AND HIS FRIENDS 

Price 65 Cents Postpaid 

THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY, Publishers 

C17S. Wabash Avc. Winston Building 129 Spadina Ave. 

CHICAGO, ILL. PHILADELPHIA, PA. TORONTO, ONT. 


Bumper the White Rabbit 


STORY I 

WHERE BUMPER CAME FROM 

There was once an old woman who had so 
many rabbits that she hardly knew what to do. 
They ate her out of house and home, and kept 
the cupboard so bare she often bad to go to bed 
hungry. But none of the rabbits suffered this 
way. They all had their supper, and their break- 
fast, too, even if there wasn’t a crust left in the 
old woman’s cupboard. 

There were big rabbits and little rabbits ; lean 
ones and fat ones ; comical little youngsters who 
played pranks upon their elders, and staid, se- 
rious old ones who never laughed or smiled the 
livelong day ; boy rabbits and girl rabbits, 
mother rabbits and father rabbits, and goodness 
knows how many aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, 
cousins, second cousins and distant reiatives-in- 
lawl They all lived imder one big roof in the 

The continuation of this interesting story will be found in 
BUMPER THE WHITE RABBIT 
Price 65 Cents Postpaid 

THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY, Publishers 

517S. Wabash Ave. Winston Building 129 Spadlna Ave. 

CHICAGO, ILL. PHILADELPHIA, PA. TORONTO, ONT. 






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